Tom Digbeu: Son of former French forward chooses to play for Spain / News - Basketnews.com

Tom Digbeu, son of former EuroLeague forward Alain Digbeu, has decided to play with the Spanish NT instead of France, in case he gets the call-up.

Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images Credit Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Spain NT has one more player in its ranks if it deems it appropriate. Tom Digbeu, a 21-year-old small forward, who now plays for Alliance Sport Alsace of the French Pro B, has offered himself to the European champs.

In an extensive interview with Be Basket, Digbeu confirmed that he has made the decision to join Spain in case their national team decides to call him. The promising player is the son of Alain Digbeu, a forward who played in Spain for several years, splitting time between Alicante, Joventut Badalona, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Tom was born in Barcelona on September 24, 2001, almost a year before his father moved to Real Madrid.

"I feel much more Spanish than French because I was born and raised there, so it's a natural choice," Tom Digbeu said.

"The foreign country for me is France, not Spain," he pointed out.

"It's his decision. I am with him 100% because he's my son," Alain Digbeu commented.

Tom left the Barca youth system in 2019. In 2018-19, he was only averaging 3.9 points and 1.3 rebounds with the second team, but shined at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (the junior Euroleague) averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds before the eyes of numerous scouts.

Sarunas Jasikevicius, who coincided with his father at Barcelona, took him to Zalgiris a year before he replaced Pesic as Barca coach. Digbeu was then loaned out toPrienai, where he suffered a serious knee injury. When the COVID pandemic broke out in 2020, he went to France without permission from the club and his contract was cut.

Digbeu spent last year in Australia with the Brisbane Bullets, but averaging only 12.3 minutes of play he had few options to shine. In late 2022 he was drafted by Pistons affiliate Motor City Cruise 28th overall, but played only one game and was released on November 7.

Last summer, Tom was training in Los Angeles and decided to explore the NBA waters.

"The NBA is the reason I started playing basketball," he said.

"It's something I'm aiming for and will always aim for," he added. "They have always given me inconsistent playing time. I didn't have what I needed to show what I know how to do", he argued.

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.