Paris (AFP)

A first since 2016: the foreign selection of the Elite basketball championship imposed itself against the French selection after extra time (129-119) in front of nearly 16,000 spectators at Bercy in the star match during the traditional All Star Game French version.

In an ultra-offensive encounter as always, the best foreign players playing in France displayed their technique and their power in the racket to win with a final difference of 10 points. Eric Buckner (USA / Monaco), author of 27 points, was elected MVP of the meeting.

The "star match" was an opportunity for the players of the two teams to offer some spectacular actions: Norris Cole (Monaco) went from his basket to the buzzer at the end of the first quarter, Abdoulaye N'Doye ( Cholet) smashed an incredible dunk in the second quarter and Axel Julien (Dijon) found the 12-meter basket.

An American show provided on Sunday by natives from across the Atlantic, Briante Weber (19 pts) and Rob Gray (21 pts), but also by the French selection, led by its captain Antoine Eito (15 pts).

The "Frenchies", dominated a large part of the meeting, snatched the extension in favor of a three-point Damien Inglis (Cholet) five seconds from the buzzer. But the best foreigners in the Elite championship were able to find the fault to win clearly.

The foreign selection leads 15-14 in the history of confrontations since this gala format "French vs. Foreigners" was created in 1992.

Victory bonuses (a first in the history of ASG) of 1,500 euros per player will therefore go to teammates of Chris Horton (Cholet), a bonus doubled for MVP Eric Buckner.

- DJ Stephens electrifies Bercy -

For the 17th time in a row, Bercy refueled (15,917 spectators) for the unmissable end-of-year meeting for French basketball.

In addition to the "shot at 100,000 euros" missed by a spectator and the antics of the NBA mascots of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns, who came to show on the floor and in the stands, the flash of genius came from DJ Stephens (Le Mans), who electrified Bercy in the highly anticipated dunks competition.

The American back released two very spectacular figures in an overheated room, including a second recorded at 101 decibels to win his second title after 2017.

DJ Stephens beat in the final the young winger of Nanterre, Isaïa Cordinier, new to the All Star Game, thus winning the title not disputed by the winner of last year, Kevin Harley (Boulazac), package.

Justin Robinson (Chalon) and Bastien Pinault (Metropolitans 92) also failed to keep their title won last year in the leading and three-point competitions.

The American leader lost in the semifinals to Michael Stockton (Cholet), who then lost in the final against the surprising Monegasque Norris Cole, double NBA champion. Long distance, Pinault could not repeat his 26 points registered in training on Saturday. Strasbourg's Gabe York was the final winner of the competition.

Bercy will have the pleasure of riding this "made in USA" wave with an NBA meeting at the end of January which will pit the Milwaukee Bucks against the Charlotte Hornets in the Parisian precincts.

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