Leïla Lacan (born 2 June 2004) is a French professional basketball player for Basket Landes of the La Boulangère Wonderligue. She was selected by the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft.
 Lacan in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 32 – Basket Landes | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Forward | ||||||||||||||||||||
| League | La Boulangère Wonderligue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 2 June 2004 Rodez, France | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WNBA draft | 2024: 1st round, 10th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the Connecticut Sun | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2022–present | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Union Féminine Angers Basket 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–present | Basket Landes | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Playing career
editFrance
editLacan began her professional career in 2022 for Union Féminine Angers Basket 49 in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB). During the 2023–24 season she averaged 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.2 steals in 18 games.[1][2]
In June 2024, she joined Basket Landes.[3] She helped the team qualify to the 2024–25 EuroLeague Women.[4]
WNBA
editOn 15 April 2024, Lacan was drafted tenth overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2024 WNBA draft.[5] She didn't join the team for the 2024 WNBA season, remaining in France to compete with her national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics.[6][7]
National team career
editLacan made her international debut for France at the 2019 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship. During the tournament she averaged 9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in seven games. She then represented France at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup, where she averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. At the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship she recorded 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.[8]
She again represented France at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup where she averaged 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.9 assists per game. During the bronze medal game against Canada she recorded 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block, and lost 73–80 in overtime.[9] Following the tournament she was named to the all-tournament team.[10]
She made her senior national team debut for France at the EuroBasket Women 2023 where she averaged 3.6 points, 0.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in five games and won a bronze medal.[11][12]
Lacan was named to the French national team for the 2024 Olympics. She averaged 4.2 points, 0.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in six games and won a silver medal.[13]
Orders
edit
Chevalier in the French Order of Merit: 2024[14]
Personal life
editBorn in France, Lacan is of Chadian descent.[15]
References
edit- ^ Leger, Justin (15 April 2024). "Sun select Leila Lacan with 10th pick in 2024 WNBA Draft". nbcsportsboston.com. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ Perri, Meredith (15 April 2024). "Connecticut Sun select French teenager in opening round of 2024 WNBA Draft". The Republican. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Transferts : Leila Lacan et Myriam Djekoundade rejoignent Basket Landes pour trois saisons". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Vainqueur du Besiktas Istanbul, Basket Landes disputera sa cinquième saison d'EuroLeague". BeBasket (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Adamec, Carl (15 April 2024). "Connecticut Sun select French guard Leila Lacan in first round of WNBA Draft". New Haven Register. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ Adams, Emily (16 April 2024). "WNBA Draft 2024: Meet the Connecticut Sun draftees, including No. 10 pick Leila Lacan". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ Fulkerson, Vickie (17 April 2024). "Sun top pick Lacan won't play until the 2025 season". Retrieved 17 April 2024 – via PressReader.
- ^ "Leila Lacan". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ Lopez, Daniella (23 July 2023). "Canada claims second-ever FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup medal with win over Franced". basketball.ca. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Iyana Martin Carrion crowned TISSOT MVP to lead All-Star Five in Madrid". fiba.basketball. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "The French team wins a bronze medal at EuroBasket Women 2023". groupebpce.com. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Iyana Martin Carrion crowned TISSOT MVP to lead All-Star Five in Madrid". fiba.basketball. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Basket Landes : « La défaite en finale des JO n'est pas encore digérée », avoue la recrue Leïla Lacan". SudOuest.fr (in French). 23 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Décret du 23 septembre 2024 portant promotion et nomination dans l'ordre national du Mérite.
- ^ "L'interview de Leila Lacan (Pôle France – LF2) : Basket31.tv".
External links
edit- Leila Lacan at FIBA