_(cropped).jpg) Besson withTofaş in 2025 | |
| No. 25 – Tofaş | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard /point guard |
| League | BSL |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2001-04-26)26 April 2001 (age 24) Angers, France |
| Listed height | 194 cm (6 ft 4 in) |
| Listed weight | 89 kg (196 lb) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2022: 2nd round, 58th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Indiana Pacers |
| Playing career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2018–2021 | Élan Chalon |
| 2020–2021 | →Saint-Quentin BB |
| 2021–2022 | New Zealand Breakers |
| 2022–2023 | Metropolitans 92 |
| 2023–2024 | FMP Meridian |
| 2024 | Openjobmetis Varese |
| 2024–2025 | Manisa Basket |
| 2025–present | Tofaş |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |
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Hugo Eric Besson (born 26 April 2001)[1] is a French professionalbasketball player forTofaş of theBasketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He debuted in theLNB Pro A in 2018 withÉlan Chalon. After two seasons with Chalon, he was loaned toSaint-Quentin BB of theLNB Pro B and led the league in scoring in the 2020–21 season. After a season with theNew Zealand Breakers in theAustralian NBL, he was drafted by theIndiana Pacers with the 58th overall pick in the2022 NBA draft.
Besson was born inAngers, France.[2] He grew up in theCôte d'Azur town ofBandol.[3] He started his youth basketball career in 2016 as a member of theAntibes Sharks.[2] He averaged 5.1 points in 15 games with the Under 21 team during the 2016–17 season.[4] He joinedÉlan Chalon in 2017 and played for the Under 21 team. In 27 games during the 2017–18 season, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.[4]
Between 2018 and 2020, Besson was a member of theÉlan Chalon senior squad. He played 14 games in theLNB Pro A over two seasons.[5] In the ProA U21 competition, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals in 28 games during the 2018–19 season, and 26.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in six games during the 2019–20 season.[4]
In June 2020, Besson signed a three-year contract with Élan Chalon and was subsequently loaned toSaint-Quentin BB of theLNB Pro B.[6] Heled the league in scoring during the 2020–21 season with 19.5 points per game.[5] He also averaged 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 26 games.[4][5] He was nominated for league MVP[7] and earned all-star five and best youngster.[8] His No. 25 jersey was later retired by Saint-Quentin BB.[9]
Besson was courted by several European clubs during 2021, includingBaskonia andASVEL, and was in the running for theNBA draft.[10] He withdrew his name from the draft after being unable to participate in work-outs due to an ankle injury.[10] In August 2021, he was ranked byESPN as the 35th top prospect for the2022 NBA draft.[11]
On 23 September 2021, Besson signed with theNew Zealand Breakers of the AustralianNational Basketball League (NBL) for the2021–22 season.[12][13] In his debut for the Breakers on 4 December, he scored 10 points in an 89–65 season-opening loss to theSouth East Melbourne Phoenix.[14] He scored 20 or more points in each of the next three games.[15][16] He had two 20-point games in March 2022.[15] Besson left the Breakers on 17 April 2022 in order to prepare for the NBA draft.[17][18] In 25 games, he averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.[15]
On 13 August 2022, Besson signed withMetropolitans 92 of theLNB Pro A.[19] He was sidelined between 9 January and 16 May with a hip injury.[20][21] His minutes decreased after returning from injury,[21] as he helped the team reach the Pro A finals, where they lost 3–0 toMonaco. Besson played just five minutes from the bench in the game three defeat.[22] In 25 games, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.[21]
Besson re-joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the2023 NBA Summer League.[23]
On 30 September 2023, Besson signed a two-year deal withFMP Meridian of theBasketball League of Serbia and theAdriatic League.[24] However, on 11 February 2024, he parted ways with the club.[25]
On 26 February 2024, Besson signed withOpenjobmetis Varese of theLega Basket Serie A.[26]
On 4 September 2024, Besson signed withManisa Basket of theBasketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[27][28] He averaged 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 29 games in the BSL during the2024–25 season; and 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 14 games in theBasketball Champions League (BCL).[29]
On July 15, 2025, Besson signed withTofaş of the BSL, returning to the league for a second stint.[29]
Besson was selected with the 58th overall pick in the2022 NBA draft by theIndiana Pacers. His draft rights were then immediately traded to theMilwaukee Bucks.[30] He joined the Bucks for the2022 NBA Summer League.[31]
On 6 February 2025, Besson's draft rights were traded to theNew York Knicks in a multi-team trade.[32]
In June 2021, Besson was called up to theFrench Under 20 national team ahead of theFIBA U20 European Challengers.[33] He ultimately did not play with the final team.[34][35]
Besson's father, uncle, and grandfather have all played and coached professional basketball.[36][37] He has a sister named Jade.[3]
This week ESPN ranked Besson, who is already in Auckland, as the 35th top prospect for next year's draft.
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