Athleticism and energy for Derthona: Paul Eboua signed
Derthona Basket announces the signing of athlete Paul Eboua.
A 203 cm pivot-forward, born on February 15, 2000 in Yaoundé, Cameroon but raised in Douala, after spending half a season abroad, Eboua returns to Italy enriched by the experience of his Euroleague debut with Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne. Having moved to the French team at the beginning of January 2026 after being excluded from the Trapani championship, with whom he was producing significant numbers both in Serie A (10.7 points + 9.2 rebounds) and in the BCL (8.2 + 5.8), the Italian-trained big man continued his important season in France too: in the Euroleague he averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18.8 minutes in 18 games played, 13 of which in the starting five, shooting 54.2% from two, 40.4% from three (over 2.5 shots per game) and 65.1% from the free throw line, with a record 19 points with Maccabi Tel Aviv last March; In the top French league, which ended in the first round of the playoffs, he played 17 games averaging 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 16.9 minutes, standing out for his shooting percentages in all areas of the court, 59.2% from two, 39.0% from three and 88.1% from the free throw line.
Having joined Stella Azzurra Roma at the age of 15, Paul declared himself eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft after his first senior experiences in Serie A with the then Roseto Sharks and his Serie A debut in Pesaro. Undrafted, his rights were acquired by the Brooklyn Nets, who then traded him to the Long Island Nets in the G-League. He returned to Italy, again in Pesaro, in March 2021, followed by a season in Brescia and the significant start of his career at Vanoli Cremona. With the Lombardy club, he was a key player in the historic 2022-23 Serie A treble—Supercoppa Italiana, Coppa Italia, and Serie A—followed by a season and a half in the top flight, again with Cremona, before being signed by Trapani in December 2024, after Olimpia Milano had signed him to a multi-year contract the previous summer.
Now, the second Italian return of the 27-time Cameroon international, with whom he finished in fourth place at Afrobasket 2025 and with whom he will resume his journey as group leaders in the African qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup at the end of August.
Declarations
Paul Eboua: "I wanted to return to Italy and play for a well-structured and highly organized club. I had the opportunity to be called by Coach Fioretti, and I immediately liked him, both as a person and for the things he said to me. So it will be a great opportunity for me to wear the Derthona jersey."
The Euroleague made me realize my strengths. I'd started the season well with Trapani, left as the best rebounder in Serie A, and arrived in France in good shape. I didn't know exactly what the new team expected of me because everything happened so quickly, but I adapted very quickly to the pace of my teammates and the Euroleague. I made a huge leap mentally and technically; playing so many games at a high pace taught me how to deal with so many new situations on the court. I had the opportunity to play as a four-man for five months, and that helped me open up my game more, better understand spacing, improve my outside shooting, and help my teammates more. In short, it was a year that gave me an extra boost for the next one.
"I think I'll be able to immediately contribute rebounds, energy, and defense to the team. These are the first contributions I'll make to Derthona."
Mario Fioretti: "Paul brings athleticism, versatility, and a great work ethic. We're confident he'll be the perfect complement to Dominik [Olejniczak], Justin [Gorham], and Giulio [Gazzotti]."
