Patrick Beverley will have to wait a little longer before joining Boulazac, with visa procedures delaying the former NBA guard’s arrival in France.
The 38-year-old was one of the most notable additions to Boulazac ahead of the new LNB Pro A season, but he will not be available for the beginning of preseason. According to Boulazac head coach Alexandre Menard, Patrick Beverley is expected to arrive at the end of August or the beginning of September, once the necessary administrative procedures are completed.
Boulazac have already started their preparations, meaning Beverley will join the team later than the rest of the squad.
The delay is not related to the player’s physical condition, but rather to the visa process required for non-EU players arriving in France.
Visa issues affect several LNB Pro A clubs
Boulazac are not the only LNB Pro A club dealing with delays involving overseas players.
Le Mans faced a similar situation with Moses Wood, who reportedly received his visa only on August 6, just in time for the start of preparations. The club’s administrative director Arnaud Leproux explained that the procedure for American players has changed.
“Previously, American players would arrive in France and we would regularize their situation at the prefecture in Le Mans. Now, the visa has to be obtained beforehand in the United States. The application is extensive, and players are sometimes 400 kilometers away from French consulates.”
Dijon also began preseason without two of its American additions, Silas Melson and Kevion Taylor, as they waited for the necessary administrative procedures to be completed.
Former NBA All-Defensive guard Patrick Beverley opens surprising new chapter in France 😱@patbev21 spent the past two seasons playing in Europe, first for Hapoel Tel Aviv and then for PAOK. His time in Israel lasted until February 2025, while he spent the 2025/26 season in… pic.twitter.com/NXBj9Fkrbl
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) August 14, 2026
Visas could become a major issue for LNB Pro A replacements
The issue could become even more important once the regular season begins, particularly when clubs need to react quickly to injuries.
LNB Pro A teams regularly turn to the American market when searching for short-term reinforcements or medical replacements. The current visa process could make those moves more difficult for players coming from outside the European Union, as the necessary documentation must be arranged before they can enter France and begin working legally.
That could force clubs to consider a player’s administrative status alongside his contract situation and physical condition when searching for an immediate replacement. A European player, or someone who already has the right to work in France, could therefore become a much easier option when a team needs to fill a roster spot within days.
