Mathias Lessort

Born in the French overseas department of Martinique and raised in Le Morne-Vert until the age of 15,{{cite web | last=Milanti | first=Cesare | title=Mathias Lessort blasts critics: "I've seen this sh-t, I bring the receipt" | website=Eurohoops | date=2024-05-27 | url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1677571/mathias-lessort-panathinaikos-real-madrid-euroleague-final-four-2024-interview/ | access-date=2024-06-02}} Lessort joined the youth ranks of Élan Chalon in 2010 and won the French national championship with Chalon’s cadet team in 2012 and 2013 and with their development team ("Espoirs") in 2013. He also helped Chalon win the 2013 Trophée du Futur.{{Cite web|url=http://www.elanchalon.com/actualites-pro-a/787-premier-contrat-pro-pour-mathias-lessort-et-axel-bouteille|title=Premier contrat pro pour Mathias Lessort et Axel Bouteille|publisher=Élan Chalon|access-date=2016-04-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234812/http://www.elanchalon.com/actualites-pro-a/787-premier-contrat-pro-pour-mathias-lessort-et-axel-bouteille|archive-date=2015-09-23}}

Lessort was handed his first professional contract by the club in June 2014{{Cite web|url=http://www.franceinfo.fr/sports/sports/article/chalon-premiers-contrats-pros-pour-lessort-et-bouteille-498339|title=Chalon : Premiers contrats pros pour Lessort et Bouteille|website=France info|language=fr-fr|access-date=2016-04-23}} and made his debut in the French top-flight Pro A during the 2014–15 season. Before turning professional, he had considered enrolling at a university in the United States and had been in touch with Gonzaga and North Carolina State.{{Cite web|url=http://www.martinique.franceantilles.fr/actualite/sports/mathias-lessort-basketteur-du-centre-de-formation-de-l-elan-chalon-pour-l-equipe-de-france-u-20-ca-commence-a-etre-d-un-niveau-au-dessus-218194.php|title=Mathias Lessort, basketteur du centre de formation de l'Élan Chalon : " Pour l'équipe de France U-20, ça commence à être d'un niveau au-dessus " - Toute l'actualité de la Martinique sur Internet - FranceAntilles.fr|website=France-Antilles Martinique|date=23 August 2013 |access-date=2016-04-23}}

He saw action in 23 games as a rookie, chipping in with 2.0 points a game, while pulling down 2.0 rebounds per contest.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A55465/Lessort-Mathias|title=Mathias Lessort - Chalon/Saône – Joueurs - Pro A – LNB.fr|website=www.lnb.fr|access-date=2016-04-23}} In 2015–16, he logged his first minutes in a European club competition, the FIBA Europe Cup.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/fibaeuropecup/compID_BYg5Rb55Jw-G5I3MZ6JB01.season_2016.roundID_11866.teamID_5295.playerID_107610.html|title=Mathias Lessort {{!}} FIBA Europe Cup|website=www.fibaeurope.com|access-date=2016-04-23}}

In April 2016, he declared for the NBA draft,{{Cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/Actualites/Mathias-lessort-chalon-se-presentera-a-la-draft-nba/652842|title=Mathias Lessort (Chalon) se présentera à la Draft NBA|website=L'Equipe.fr|language=fr-FR|access-date=2016-04-23}} but later withdrew.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/15/early-entry-candidates-withdraw-2016-draft/|title=Thirty-three international early-entry candidates withdraw from Draft|last=Release|first=Official|newspaper=NBA.com|access-date=2016-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319085516/https://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/15/early-entry-candidates-withdraw-2016-draft/|archive-date=2019-03-19|url-status=dead}} On 1 June 2016 he joined JSF Nanterre of the French Pro A on a three-year deal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nanterre92.com/fr/actualite/basket/pro/4322/mathias-lessort-nouvelle-recrue-de-nanterre-92|title=JSF Nanterre - Mathias Lessort, nouvelle recrue de Nanterre 92 !|website=www.nanterre92.com|access-date=2016-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305013524/http://www.nanterre92.com/fr/actualite/basket/pro/4322/mathias-lessort-nouvelle-recrue-de-nanterre-92|archive-date=2017-03-05|url-status=dead}} In April 2017, Lessort won both the French Basketball Cup and the FIBA Europe Cup championships with Nanterre.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/europecup/16-17/news/nanterre-continue-magical-week-hold-off-elan-chalon-in-title-decider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024194847/http://www.fiba.basketball/europecup/16-17/news/nanterre-continue-magical-week-hold-off-elan-chalon-in-title-decider|url-status=live|archive-date=October 24, 2017|title=Nanterre continue magical week; hold off Elan Chalon in title-decider|publisher=FIBA Europe Cup|date=2017-04-25|access-date=2017-04-26}}

File:Mathias Lessort - Penya-Unicaja by unniks-11.jpg

On 11 August 2017 Lessort signed a three-year deal with the Serbian club Crvena zvezda.{{cite news|title=Mathias Lessort is the new Crvena zvezda mts reinforcement|url=http://www.aba-liga.com/news.php?id=38549|access-date=August 11, 2017|work=aba-liga.com|date=August 11, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/84chcmn3qyixhdql/zvezda-adds-young-rebounding-ace-lessort |title=Zvezda adds young rebounding ace Lessort |publisher=www.euroleague.net |date=11 August 2017 |access-date=11 August 2017}} He played there only in the 2017–18 season, before signing with Spanish ACB side Unicaja in July 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidebasketeurope.com/actu/lessort-malaga.html|title=Matthias Lessort arrive en Liga Endesa... Destination Unicaja Malaga !!|author=Vincent Couty|work=Inside Basket Europe|access-date=2018-10-09|language=fr}}

Lessort spent the 2019–20 season in Germany with Bayern Munich.

On 18 September 2020, Lessort signed with AS Monaco of the French LNB Pro A.{{cite news |title=Mathias Lessort officially joins AS Monaco |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/mathias-lessort-officially-joins-as-monaco/ |website=Sportando |access-date=September 18, 2020 |date=September 18, 2020|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}

On 25 September 2021, Lessort signed a 2-month contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League in order to replace the injured Ante Žižić.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/maccabi-tel-aviv-officially-signs-mathias-lessort/|title=Maccabi Tel Aviv officially signs Mathias Lessort|last=|first=|date=September 27, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=September 27, 2021|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} In five games, Lessort averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He parted ways with the team on 26 November.{{cite web |title=Mathias Lessort left Maccabi Tel Aviv |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Euroleague/news/718037/Mathias-Lessort-left-Maccabi-Tel-Aviv |website=Eurobasket |access-date=November 26, 2021 |date=November 26, 2021}}

On 20 December 2021, Lessort signed with KK Partizan of the Basketball League of Serbia, the ABA League and the EuroCup.{{Cite web|title=KOŠARKAŠKA TRANSFER BOMBA! Matijas Lesor POTPISAO ZA PARTIZAN, crno-beli potvrdili veliko pojačanje!|url=https://www.kurir.rs/sport/kosarka/3833363/kosarkaska-transfer-bomba-matijas-lesor-potpisao-za-partizan-crno-beli-potvrdili-veliko-pojacanje|access-date=2021-12-20|website=kurir.rs|language=sr}}

On 18 July 2022, he signed a new contract with Partizan.{{Cite news |title=Lesor ostaje crno-beli |url=https://kkpartizan.rs/sr/vest/3264/lesor-ostaje-crno-beli |access-date=2022-07-18 |newspaper=Normacore.com |language=en |last1=Normasoft. Net |first1=Normasoft }} Under coach Željko Obradović. He was one of the most useful players in the Euroleague, he was in the first team of the Euroleague, and he was also one of the main candidates for the MVP title. During the 2022–23 season, Partizan was eliminated from the Real Madrid in tight playoffs series. Over the season, Lessort averaged 12 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Partizan ended the 2022–23 season by lifting the ABA League championship trophy, after 3–2 score against Crvena zvezda in the Finals series.{{cite news |title=PARTIZAN MOZZART BET ARE 2022/23 ADMIRALBET ABA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS |url=https://www.aba-liga.com/news/49109/partizan-mozzart-bet-are-2022-23-admiralbet-aba-league-champions/ |access-date=23 June 2023 |work=aba-liga.com |date=22 June 2023}}

On 27 June 2023, Lessort signed a two-year contract with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. On February 29, 2024, in a 97–86 win against Real Madrid, Lessort set his EuroLeague career-high of 26 points, alongside 7 rebounds and 4 assists. On May 26, 2024, Lessort helped Panathinaikos win its seventh EuroLeague title by scoring 17 points and recording 6 rebounds in a 95–80 win over Real Madrid in the final.

On December 19, Lessort sustained an injury when he fractured two bones in his right lower leg leaving him out for a significant amount of the season.{{Cite web |last=Vasiljevic |first=Bogdan |date=2025-01-03 |title=Mathias Lessort begins recovery after serious injury, determined for quick return |url=https://basketballsphere.com/en/mathias-lessort-begins-recovery-after-serious-injury-determined-for-quick-return/#:~:text=Mathias%20Lessort%20suffered%20a%20serious,against%20the%20team%20from%20Vitoria. |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Basketball Sphere |language=en-US}}

On December 31, 2024, Lessort officially signed a three-year contract extension with the defending EuroLeague champions through 2028.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=Mathias Lessort to remain with Panathinaikos Aktor until 2028 |url=https://www.paobc.gr/en/press-releases/105993_mathias-lessort-remain-panathinaikos-aktor-until-2028 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Panathinaikos BC |language=en}}

Lessort was drafted in the second round as the 50th pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. In July 2019, his draft rights were traded to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a four-team trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-acquire-butler-leonard-190706|title=HEAT Acquire Butler And Leonard|quote=the Clippers received...the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from Philadelphia|date=July 6, 2019|work=NBA.com}} On 19 November 2020 his draft rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|title=LA Clippers Acquire Draft Rights to Daniel Oturu|url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-acquire-draft-rights-daniel-oturu|date=November 19, 2020|website=nba.com|access-date=November 20, 2020}} Lessort's draft rights were traded again, to the New York Knicks, on 20 November.{{cite web |title=Knicks Acquire Draft Rights to Kentucky's Immanuel Quickley |url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-acquire-draft-rights-kentuckys-immanuel-quickley |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 21, 2020 |date=November 20, 2020}}

On February 6, 2025, Lessort's draft rights were traded to the Washington Wizards in a four-team trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wizards-acquire-middleton-johnson-from-milwaukee-bucks|title=Wizards Acquire Middleton, Johnson From Milwaukee Bucks|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2025|quote= As part of a four-team deal, the Wizards also acquired the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks}}

Lessort played in the 2013 Nike Global Challenge, averaging 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nikeglobalchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Individaul-Leaders.pdf|title=Tournament Individual Leaders|access-date=2016-04-23}} while receiving International All-Tournament Team honors.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nikeglobalchallenge.com/info/|title=Info {{!}} Nike Global Challenge|website=www.nikeglobalchallenge.com|access-date=2016-04-23}}

He represented France at the 2014{{Cite web |title=Mathias Lessort, U20 European Championship Men (2014) |url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2014.roundID_10029.playerID_107610.teamID_282.html |access-date=2016-04-23 |website=FIBA Europe}} and 2015 U20 European Championships. In 2015, he averaged 4.1 points and 5.1 rebounds en route to a semifinal appearance.{{Cite web |title=Mathias Lessort, U20 Europe Championship Men - Division A |url=http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2015.roundID_11585.teamID_282.playerID_107610.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713030316/http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2015.roundID_11585.teamID_282.playerID_107610.html |archive-date=2015-07-13 |access-date=2016-04-23 |website=FIBA Europe}} As a member of the French men's national team, he captured a bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup{{Cite web |title=Basket-ball. Mathias Lessort : " Je ne me projette jamais trop " |url=https://www.lejsl.com/sport-local/2019/09/28/mathias-lessort-je-ne-me-projette-jamais-trop |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.lejsl.com |language=FR-fr}} and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"| Crvena zvezda

| 30 || 29 || 21.1 || .549 || .000 || .632 || 5.7 || .8 || .8 || .7 || 8.5 || 10.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Bayern Munich

| 22 || 4 || 11.3 || .528 || {{sort|-|—}} || .600 || 2.2 || .5 || .5 || .5 || 3.8 || 4.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| style="text-align:left;"| Maccabi Tel Aviv

| 5 || 3 || 11.7 || .737 || {{sort|-|—}} || .562 || 3.4 || .6 || 1.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || 7.4 || 9.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23

| style="text-align:left;"| Partizan

| 38 || 23 || 30.2 || .674 || .000 || .734 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|7.1* || 1.4 || .9 || .8 || 12.0 || 19.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;background:#AFE6BA;"| 2023–24†

| style="text-align:left;"| Panathinaikos

| style="background:#CFECEC;"|41* || 29 || 29.4 || .624 || .000 || .607 || 6.3 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .9 || 13.9 || 19.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 136 || 88 || 24.3 || .618 || .000 || .647 || 5.6 || 1.1 || .8 || .7 || 10.3 || 14.6

{{S-end}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| Málaga

| 19 || 11 || 21.9 || .701 || {{sort|-|—}} || .602 || 5.4 || 1.1 || .9 || 1.3 || 11.0 || 16.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"| Monaco

| 23 || 17 || 24.6 || .583 || .000 || .672 || 6.1 || 1.1 || .9 || 1.2 || 12.5 || 17.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| style="text-align:left;"| Partizan

| 10 || 4 || 23.4 || .634 || {{sort|-|—}} || .683 || 6.4 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .5 || 13.1 || 19.1

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 52 || 32 || 23.4 || .630 || .000 || .651 || 5.9 || 1.1 || .9 || 1.1 || 12.1 || 17.6

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Élan Chalon

| 18 || 6 || 16.1 || .623 || {{sort|-|—}} || .721 || 5.0 || .8 || .4 || .9 || 7.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"| Nanterre

| 20 || 18 || 21.3 || .634 || .000 || .689 || 6.3 || .6 || .7 || 1.3 || 9.9

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 38 || 24 || 18.8 || .630 || .000 || .705 || 5.7 || .7 || .6 || 1.1 || 8.6

{{S-end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"

! Year

! Team

! League

! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}

! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}

! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free-throw percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}

! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}

! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}

! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}

! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} Élan Chalon || style="text-align:center;"|Pro A || 23 || 5.9 || .586 || .000 || .667 || 2.3 || .1 || .3 || .2 || 2.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} Élan Chalon || style="text-align:center;"|Pro A || 34 || 12.4 || .625 || 1.000 || .633 || 4.4 || .7 || .4 || .8 || 5.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} Nanterre || style="text-align:center;"|Pro A || 36 || 22.9 || .574 || 1.000 || .593 || 7.2 || .7 || .7 || 1.0 || 10.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Crvena zvezda || style="text-align:center;"|KLS || 15 || 12.0 || .563 || .500 || .657 || 3.8 || .4 || .7 || .3 || 4.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Crvena zvezda || style="text-align:center;"|ABA || 29 || 18.4 || .671 || {{sort|-|—}} || .608 || 4.4 || .6 || .9 || .9 || 8.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Málaga || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 37 || 20.0 || .566 || {{sort|-|—}} || .647 || 5.3 || 1.0 || .9 || .5 || 8.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Germany|size=20px}} Bayern Munich || style="text-align:center;"|BBL || 19 || 15.8 || .620 || {{sort|-|—}} || .565 || 3.9 || .8 || .8 || 1.1 || 6.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|France|size=20px}} Monaco || style="text-align:center;"|LNB Élite || 31 || 21.7 || .610 || .000 || .565 || 5.6 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .7 || 10.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Partizan || style="text-align:center;"|ABA || 22 || 22.8 || .632 || {{sort|-|—}} || .664 || 5.9 || 1.6 || .7 || .9 || 10.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Serbia|size=20px}} Partizan || style="text-align:center;"|ABA || 32 || 21.6 || .692 || {{sort|-|—}} || .704 || 5.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || .6 || 9.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Greece|size=20px}} Panathinaikos || style="text-align:center;"|GBL || 28 || 21.0 || .630 || .000 || .674 || 5.1 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .6 || 10.8

{{S-end}}

His brother Grégory Lessort is also a professional basketball player.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Accueil/100003/Article/28992/Pas-d-erreur-c-est-Lessort|title=Pas d'erreur, c'est Lessort !|website=www.lnb.fr|access-date=2016-04-23}}

• 40px Chevalier in the French Order of Merit: 2024{{Légifrance|base=JORF|numéro=PRER2420330D |texte=Décret du 23 septembre 2024 portant promotion et nomination dans l'ordre national du Mérite}}.

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.aba-liga.com/player.php?id=2722 Mathias Lessort] at aba-liga.com
• [http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mathias-Lessort-73162/ Mathias Lessort] at draftexpress.com
• {{Eurobasket.com player|252481}}
• [https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/ Mathias Lessort] at euroleaguebasketball.net
• [https://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/BasketFicheJoueur6746.html Mathias Lessort] at lequipe.fr

{{Panathinaikos B.C. current roster}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lessort, Mathias}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players

Category:ABA League players

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Category:Baloncesto Málaga players

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