Asvel have added one of the most experienced players to make the move from the NBA to European basketball this offseason, officially announcing the signing of Jae Crowder for the 2026-27 campaign.
Crowder, 36, arrives in France after a career spanning 14 NBA seasons, bringing extensive experience, defensive versatility and a winning mentality to a team that has undergone major changes over the summer.
The move will also represent something completely new for the veteran forward. Despite spending more than a decade at the highest level of American basketball, Crowder has never previously played in Europe.
From second-round pick to NBA veteran
Crowder entered the NBA after being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 34 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
He went on to establish himself as a reliable two-way forward, appearing in 812 regular-season games and averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
His career took him through numerous NBA organizations, including the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.
Crowder also accumulated considerable playoff experience. He played 115 postseason games and reached the NBA Finals in consecutive years, first with Miami in 2020 and then with Phoenix in 2021.
His most recent NBA appearance came with Sacramento during the 2024-25 season, when he played nine games.
Asvel are therefore adding a player with an extensive understanding of NBA basketball, even though Crowder will now have to adapt to a completely different environment in Europe.
Welcome Jae Crowder ! 🔥
— LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) August 20, 2026
LDLC ASVEL est heureux d'annoncer la signature de Jae Crowder au sein de son effectif pour la saison 2026-2027.
Fort de 14 saisons en NBA et de plus de 900 matchs disputés dans la ligue américaine, l'ailier américain Jae Crowder apportera à LDLC ASVEL… pic.twitter.com/1sDG6Qi3pK
Crowder arrives during major Asvel rebuild
His arrival comes at the end of an offseason in which Asvel have had to completely rethink their plans.
The club initially assembled an ambitious group of players, signing Sylvain Francisco, Nick Weiler-Babb, Armoni Brooks and Daniel Theis.
However, Asvel subsequently faced significant financial difficulties after failing to secure the budget they had initially expected.
That forced the club to make substantial changes to its roster before the new season had even begun.
Francisco ultimately joined Panathinaikos, while Theis moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Neither player made an official appearance for Asvel.
Weiler-Babb was sent on loan to Crvena Zvezda, while Brooks continued his career with Valencia.
The situation left Asvel with a very different roster from the one they had initially envisioned.
Several new faces arrive in Villeurbanne
Despite the financial setbacks, Asvel have remained active in the transfer market.
The club have added Joel Bolomboy from Crvena Zvezda, Myles Cale from Barcelona, Both Gach from Bourg, Yves Pons from Andorra andPatty Mills from Tenerife.
They also brought in Nate Sestina from Milano and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada from Nancy.
Crowder now becomes another experienced addition to that group, although his profile is very different from most of the club’s other new signings.
His ability to play on the wing, defend multiple positions and provide leadership could be particularly valuable for a team that has had to rebuild its plans so dramatically.
Tony Parker takes charge of Asvel
Asvel will also begin the new season with a major change on the bench.
Tony Parker, who owns the club, is taking over as head coach and will now have direct responsibility for the team’s basketball operations on the court.
That makes Crowder’s experience particularly interesting for Parker, who is attempting to build a competitive roster under considerably different circumstances than those originally expected.
For Crowder, meanwhile, the move opens an entirely new chapter.
After more than 900 NBA regular-season and playoff appearances combined, two NBA Finals and 14 seasons in the league, the veteran forward will finally experience European basketball for the first time.
Asvel are entering the new season with a roster that looks nothing like the one they initially planned, but the addition of Crowder gives Parker a player with championship experience and a long track record of competing at the highest level.
