Yves Pons confronts ASVEL about playing time: 'I was totally confused' / News - Basketnews.com

Yves Pons was confused about his playing time the entire season when big minutes in one game were followed by minuscule playing time in another. He said he didn't get any answers either from ASVEL or coach Parker.

Credit: Andreas Gora/dpa - Scanpix Credit Andreas Gora/dpa - Scanpix

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne finished the EuroLeague season in last place. On top of that, they were eliminated in the semifinal round of the French League (LNB). Now, one of the club's players has come out to express his discontent with the organization.

Yves Pons

Team:LDLC ASVEL VilleurbannePosition:SFAge:24Height:196 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

Yves Pons signed a two-year deal with the French club back in the summer of 2022. His first season with the team was consistently inconsistent. There were multiple cases when the forward would play extended minutes in one game but would appear only episodically in another.

It was probably best illustrated during the LNB playoffs. During the first three games against Victor Wembanyama's Metropolitans 92 in the semifinal, Pons averaged 15.5 minutes of playing time. He didn't play a single second in the fourth, and ultimately last, game of the series.

In an interview with Arnaud Bertrande from Le Quotidien du Sport, Pons expressed his confusion about the playing time.

"I asked myself the same questions and I did not necessarily have answers. It's been like that all year. As I said, these are things I can't control. Every time I'm given an opportunity, I give it 100%. Afterward, it's true that I was totally confused all year because when I came back, I played big matches," he said. "I didn't understand why I didn't have more playing time."

"I asked for a lot of explanations. I did not have the answers to my questions," he said about conversations with head coach TJ Parker. "Without going into too much detail, that's all I could say, but there would be a lot to say about it..."

Pons isn't clear what stopped him from being consistently featured on the court. According to the player, the team's staff gave positive feedback throughout the season.

"I think I could have brought a lot if I had had more playing time, a lot more confidence. But that was not the case. I gave everything I had to give. Afterward, I think I showed good things, but it's clear that I could have helped the team more if I had been more on the court," Pons continued.

Yves Pons

MIN:14.37PTS:3.67 (48.67%)REB:1.8As:0.27ST:0.5BL:0.4TO:0.47GM:30ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

"What I gave when I played was what was expected of me. I was always told by the staff that I was doing good things. However, it's not in line with my playing time. I am told that I am doing good things, then I have matches with zero minutes," the player was honest.

"It's complicated to understand and inevitably it plays on the mind. It's complicated to be up to it, to provide something without really knowing the role you have in the team," Pons admitted. "Clearly, my role, it hasn't really been determined or included in the team."

Head coach TJ Parker preferred not to comment on the player's words.

"I prefer not to react to these remarks and retain the excellent feedback from other players like Chris Jones," Parker said via Le Progres.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

Position Player Status SG Nando De Colo Signed until 2024 SF David Lighty Signed until 2026 SF Charles Kahudi Signed until 2024 SF Yves Pons Signed until 2024 SF/PF Mbaye Ndiaye (story) Signed until 2027 PF Amine Noua Signed until 2024 C Yousoupha Fall Signed until 2024 C Joffrey Lauvergne Signed until 2024 Coach TJ Parker (signed until 2026) Expired contract Alex Tyus, Dee Bost, Retin Obasohan, Jonah Matthews Rumored to leave Zaccharie Risacher (will not return), Antoine Diot (will not return) Interested Mbaye N'Diaye (story)

More ASVEL transfer news:

ASVEL talent Zaccharie Risacher to choose Wembanyama path and leave team Antoine Diot leaves ASVEL for another French team Mbaye Ndiaye becomes ASVEL's first signing on long-term deal Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.