View source for Nicolas Batum

{{Short description|French basketball player (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Nicolas Batum
| image = Nic Batum - 51848406711 (cropped).jpg
| width = 
| caption = Batum with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] in 2022
| position = [[Power forward]] / [[small forward]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 230
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| team = Los Angeles Clippers
| number = 33
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|year=1988|month=12|day=14|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Lisieux]], France
| draft_year = 2008
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 25
| draft_team = [[Houston Rockets]]
| career_start = 2006
| career_end = 
| years1 = 2006–2008
| team1 = [[Le Mans Sarthe Basket|Le Mans Sarthe]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2008|start}}–{{nbay|2014|end}}
| team2 = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| years3 = 2011
| team3 = [[SLUC Nancy Basket|SLUC Nancy]]
| years4 = {{nbay|2015|start}}–{{nbay|2019|end}}
| team4 = [[Charlotte Hornets]]
| years5 = {{nbay|2020|start}}–{{nbay|2023|start}}
| team5 = [[Los Angeles Clippers]]
| years6 = {{nbay|2023|full=y}}
| team6 = [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| years7 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present
| team7 = Los Angeles Clippers
| highlights = 
;As player
* 2× [[LNB Pro A Best Young Player]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Alain Gilles Trophy|French player of the year]] (2021)
* [[Albert Schweitzer Tournament]] MVP (2006)
* [[FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship#MVP Awards (since 1998)|FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship MVP]] ([[2006 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship|2006]])
;As director of [[ASVEL Basket|ASVEL]] basketball operations:
* [[LNB Pro A]] champion ([[2018-19 LNB Pro A season|2019]])
* [[French Basketball Cup|French Cup]] champion (2019)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|FRA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Tokyo]]|[[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2024 Summer Olympics|2024 Paris]]|[[Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2014 Spain]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2019 China]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[EuroBasket]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[EuroBasket 2013|2013 Slovenia]]|}}
{{MedalSilver|[[EuroBasket 2011|2011 Lithuania]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[EuroBasket 2015|2015 France]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship|U-18 European Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2006 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship|2006 Greece]]|[[France men's national under-18 basketball team|Team]]}}
}}
'''Nicolas Madelin Victor Andre Batum''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|iː|k|oʊ|l|ə|_|b|ə|ˈ|t|uː|m}} {{respell|NEE|koh|lə|_|bə|TOOM}};<ref>[https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2023/10/2023-24-NBA-Pronunciation-Guide.pdf National Basketball Association (NBA) Pronunciation Guide: 2023&ndash;24 Start of Season (scroll down to Los Angeles Clippers).] Retrieved 31 October 2023.</ref> born 14 December 1988)<ref name="lequipefr">[https://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/breves2007/20070408_210510Dev.html Nicolas Batum at the Nike Hoop Summit, ''lequipe.fr''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518071536/http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/breves2007/20070408_210510Dev.html|date=18 May 2011}}</ref> is a French professional [[basketball]] player for the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). He is also a member of the [[France men's national basketball team|French national team]] and earned a silver medal in the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo and in the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] in Paris.

==Early life==
Batum was born in [[Lisieux]], in the [[Calvados (department)|Calvados]] department, to a French mother and a father of [[Cameroon]]ian origin. His father, Richard, was a professional basketball player in France.<ref name="OregonLive.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2014/01/canzano_blog_nic_batum_says_he.html|title=Canzano blog: Nic Batum says he may swap France for Cameroon 'someday'|work=OregonLive.com|date=January 10, 2014|access-date=February 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Charlotte Hornets">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/batum-ready-represent-team-africa|title=Batum Ready to Represent Team Africa|work=Charlotte Hornets|date=July 31, 2015|access-date=February 5, 2016}}</ref> Richard died during a game in 1991 after suffering an [[aneurysm]].<ref name="SB Nation">{{cite web|url=http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/12/6/3737718/thomsen-blazers-f-nicolas-batum-reflects-on-his-father|title=Thomsen: Blazers F Nicolas Batum Reflects On His Father|work=SB Nation|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=February 5, 2016}}</ref> Nicolas, at only {{frac|2|1|2}} years old, and his mother were in the crowd to witness Richard's death.

==Recruiting==
Batum delivered an impressive performance<ref name="nhsummary">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070428001356/http://www.usabasketball.com/men/2007/07_mhs_game-story.html 2007 Nike Hoops Summit recap, ''usabasketball.com'']</ref> at the 2007 [[Nike Hoop Summit]]<ref name="nhs">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410043223/http://www.usabasketball.com/men/2007/07_mhs_box.html 2007 Nike Hoop Summit, ''usabasketball.com'']</ref> scoring 23 points (9/13 FG, 3/5 for 3 pointers) in 28 minutes. He also grabbed four rebounds and recorded four steals.

As a youngster, Nicolas Batum was considered one of the most talented young players in Europe, as he was ranked #17 among international players born in 1988, by the scouting website DraftExpress.com at the time he entered the [[2008 NBA draft]].<ref name="draftexpress88">[http://www.draftexpress.com/player_rankings.php?r=17 "Nicolas Batum,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410080057/http://www.draftexpress.com/player_rankings.php?r=17|date=April 10, 2007}} DraftExpress.com.</ref>

==Professional career==
===Le Mans Sarthe (2006–2008)===
Batum was part of the junior French national team that won the [[2004 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]].<ref name="lequipefr" /> He was named the MVP of the [[2006 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship]], as France won the gold medal at that tournament.

While playing for [[Le Mans Sarthe Basket|Le Mans]], Batum averaged 3.4 points (65.9% FG), 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assist per game in 13 minutes for the 2006–2007 [[Ligue Nationale de Basketball|French league]] season,<ref name="stratsfrleague">[https://web.archive.org/web/20021005162527/http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/BasketStatsClub6.html Nicolas Batum statistics in the French League, ''lequipe.fr'']</ref> and 12.3 points (52.3%), 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 28 minutes for the 2007–2008 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicolas Batum stats |access-date=January 19, 2009 |url=http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nicolas-Batum-537/stats/}}</ref>

===Portland Trail Blazers (2008–2011)===
[[File:Nicolas Batum Portland.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Batum with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010]]
Upon being selected with the 25th pick in the [[2008 NBA draft]] by the [[Houston Rockets]], Batum was traded to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] for the rights to [[Darrell Arthur]] and [[Joey Dorsey]].

After coming off the bench for the first three games of his NBA career, Batum moved into the starting lineup in place of [[Travis Outlaw]] in Portland's fourth game of the 2008–09 season, a 103–96 loss to the [[Utah Jazz]]. On March 13, 2009, Batum recorded a season-high 20 points to go along with a clutch three-pointer with 29.9 seconds left, en route to a 109–100 victory over the [[New Jersey Nets]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Trail Blazers cut down the Nets |publisher=[[OregonLive.com]] |date=March 13, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2009 |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/03/new_jersey_nets_at_portland_tr.html}}</ref>

Batum missed the first 45 games of the 2009–10 season due to torn cartilage in his right shoulder. He played in his first game of the season on January 25, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/9993/nicolas-batums-shoulder-surgery |title=Nicolas Batum's Shoulder Surgery – TrueHoop Blog – ESPN |date=October 26, 2009 |publisher=Espn.go.com }}</ref>

Batum scored more than 30 points for the first time with a 31-point performance (including 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) on February 27, 2010, against the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300227016|title=Trail Blazers 110 Timberwolves 91|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 27, 2010|date=February 27, 2010}}</ref>

===SLUC Nancy (2011)===
In August 2011, during the [[2011 NBA lockout]], he signed a one-year contract with [[SLUC Nancy Basket|SLUC Nancy]] in [[Ligue Nationale de Basketball|French Basketball League]] which was valid until the NBA lockout ended.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1, 2011 |title=SLUC Nancy announces Nicolas Batum |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/cat/nba/87794/sluc-nancy-announces-nicolas-batum.html |access-date=July 18, 2015 |work=Sportando.com}}</ref>

===Return to Portland (2011–2015)===
Batum returned to Portland after the lockout ended.

On June 25, 2012, the Portland Trail Blazers extended a qualifying offer to Batum, making him a restricted free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3155/Default.aspx|title=Trail Blazers Extend Qualifying Offer To Nicolas Batum|work=iamatrailblazersfan.com|access-date=June 26, 2012|date=June 25, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629074952/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3155/Default.aspx|archive-date=June 29, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Less than three weeks later Batum signed a $46 million/4 year offer sheet with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-sign-free-agent-nicolas-batum-offer-sheet|title=Wolves Sign Free Agent Nicolas Batum To Offer Sheet|work=NBA.com|access-date=February 19, 2013|date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> On July 18, 2012, the Trail Blazers elected to match the Timberwolves' offer, signing Batum to the team through the 2015–16 campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2012/news/07/18/blazers-batum.ap/index.html|title=Blazers match Timberwolves' offer for Batum|work=NBA.com|access-date=February 19, 2013|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref>

On November 16, 2012, Batum tied a career-high of 35 points in a 119–117 overtime win against the Houston Rockets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20121116/HOUPOR/gameinfo.html|title=Blazers outlast Rockets for 119–117 OT victory|work=NBA.com|date=November 16, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> This was followed exactly one month later by a game in which Batum recorded the 15th "[[Double (basketball)#Five-by-five|five-by-five]]" in the NBA since the 1985–86 season, and the first since Andrei Kirilenko in January 2006.<ref name=Lillard>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20121216/NOHPOR/gameinfo.html|title=Lillard's last-second 3 lifts Blazers over Hornets|work=NBA.com|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122053808/http://www.nba.com/games/20121216/NOHPOR/gameinfo.html|archive-date=November 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In this effort Batum scored 11 points while racking up 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals in a 95–94 win against the [[New Orleans Hornets]].<ref name=Lillard />

On January 21, 2013, Batum recorded his first [[Triple double#Triple-double|triple-double]] in a 98–95 loss to the [[Washington Wizards]], scoring 12 points and adding 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, in addition to 3 steals and 2 blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130121/WASPOR/gameinfo.html|title=Crawford's 3 gives Wizards 98–95 win over Blazers|work=NBA.com|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>

Batum had a career year in [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13]], as he finished with career-highs in nearly every statistic. His biggest improvement was his passing; he averaged 4.9 assists, more than triple his previous career-high (1.5 assists per game during the 2010–11 season).

===Charlotte Hornets (2015–2020)===
[[File:Nicolas Batum 2019.jpg|thumb|right|Batum with the Charlotte Hornets in 2019]]
On June 24, 2015, Batum was traded to the [[Charlotte Hornets]] in exchange for [[Gerald Henderson, Jr.]] and [[Noah Vonleh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-acquire-nicolas-batum-portland-gerald-henderson-and-noah-vonleh|title=Hornets Acquire Nicolas Batum from Portland for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh|work=NBA.com|date=June 24, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2015}}</ref> On August 1, 2015, Batum played for Team Africa at the [[NBA Africa Game 2015|2015 NBA Africa exhibition game]].<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13359599/nba-current-former-stars-put-show-africa-exhibition NBA stars, legends shine as Team World rallies to beat Team Africa]</ref> He made his debut for the Hornets in the team's season opener against the Miami Heat on October 28, recording 9 points and 6 rebounds in a 104–94 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151028/CHAMIA/gameinfo.html|title=Bosh returns, Heat top Hornets 104-94 in season opener|work=NBA.com|date=October 28, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027165717/http://www.nba.com/games/20151028/CHAMIA/gameinfo.html|archive-date=October 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 15, he scored a season-high 33 points in a 106–94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151115/PORCHA/gameinfo.html|title=Hornets hold off Trail Blazers 106-94|work=NBA.com|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=November 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119163434/http://www.nba.com/games/20151115/PORCHA/gameinfo.html|archive-date=January 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following day, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, November 9 through Sunday, November 15. It was the first career Player of the Week award for Batum, who led the Hornets to a 3–1 record on the week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-guard-nicolas-batum-named-eastern-conference-player-week|title=Hornets Guard Nicolas Batum Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week|work=NBA.com|date=November 16, 2015|access-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref> On December 9, he recorded his fifth career triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 99–81 win over the Miami Heat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151209/MIACHA/gameinfo.html|title=Hornets beat Heat 99-81 for third straight victory|work=NBA.com|date=December 9, 2015|access-date=December 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209202756/http://www.nba.com/games/20151209/MIACHA/gameinfo.html|archive-date=December 9, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In early January, he missed four games with a right toe injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/hornets-nicolas-batum-will-try-to-play-sunday/|title=Hornets' Nicolas Batum: Will try to play Sunday|work=CBSSports.com|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> Later that month, he missed three more games with the same injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/945271|title=Nicolas Batum (toe) will not play Monday against the Kings|work=TheScore.com|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=January 30, 2016}}</ref> On March 29, he recorded his second triple-double of the season with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 100–85 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160329/CHAPHI/gameinfo.html|title=Batum's triple-double leads Hornets past 76ers, 100-85|work=NBA.com|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

On July 7, 2016, Batum re-signed with the Hornets on a five-year, $120 million contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-signs-batum|title=Charlotte Hornets Re-Sign Guard/Forward Nicolas Batum|work=NBA.com|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=MacMahon|first=Tim|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16664889/nicolas-batum-agrees-5-year-120-million-deal-stay-charlotte-hornets|title=Nicolas Batum agrees to 5-year, $120M deal to stay with Hornets|work=ESPN.com|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref> On December 23, 2016, he recorded his first triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 103–91 win over the [[Chicago Bulls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899884|title=Batum has triple-double, Hornets top frustrated Bulls 103-91|work=ESPN.com|date=December 23, 2016|access-date=December 23, 2016}}</ref>

On October 5, 2017, Batum was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a tear of the [[Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint|ulnar collateral ligament]] in his left elbow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-injury-update-10/5/17|title=Hornets Injury Update - 10/5/17|work=NBA.com|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2017}}</ref> Batum made his season debut on November 15, 2017, scoring 16 points in 32 minutes as a starter in a 115–107 loss to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400974958|title=LeBron James scores 31 points, Cavaliers top Hornets 115-107|work=ESPN.com|date=November 15, 2017|access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> A week later, Batum left the Hornets' game against the [[Washington Wizards]] in the second quarter with a left elbow contusion and did not return.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975004|title=Howard, Hornets rally to beat Wizards 129-124 in overtime|work=ESPN.com|date=November 22, 2017|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On January 31, 2018, he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 123–110 win over the [[Atlanta Hawks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975501|title=Walker's 38 points, career-high 9 3s lift Hornets past Hawks|work=ESPN.com|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2018}}</ref> On March 10, 2018, he recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in a 122–115 win over the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975733|title=Hornets hold off Suns 122-115 to snap 5-game skid|work=ESPN.com|date=March 10, 2018|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> Five days later, he recorded a career-high 16 assists to go with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a 129–117 win over the Hawks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975767|title=Howard dominates inside as Hornets beat Hawks 129-117|work=ESPN.com|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref> On October 24, 2019, Batum was sidelined for two to three weeks due to an avulsion fracture on the third finger of his left hand.<ref>{{cite web|first=Quinton|last=Wash|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/batum-fractures-finger-left-hand|title=Batum Fractures Finger on Left Hand|date=October 24, 2019|website=NBA.com|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref>

Batum was waived by the Hornets November 29, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nic Batum on leaving Hornets, joining Clippers|url=https://news.yahoo.com/posted-nic-batum-leaving-hornets-003045938.html|website=Yahoo Sports|date= January 5, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hornets Waive Forward Nicolas Batum |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-waive-forward-nicolas-batum |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2020 |date=November 29, 2020}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Clippers (2020–2023)===
On December 1, 2020, after clearing waivers, Batum signed with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LA Clippers Sign Batum |url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-sign-batum |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 1, 2020 |date=December 1, 2020}}</ref>

On August 13, 2021, Batum re-signed with the Clippers.<ref>{{cite web |title=LA Clippers Re-Sign Nicolas Batum |url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-re-sign-nicolas-batum |website=NBA.com |access-date=August 15, 2021 |date=August 13, 2021}}</ref>

On July 6, 2022, Batum re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LA Clippers Re-sign Nicolas Batum |url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-re-sign-nicolas-batum |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=NBA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicolas Batum agrees to two-year deal to return to Los Angeles Clippers in NBA free agency, sources say |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34175251/nicolas-batum-agrees-two-year-deal-return-los-angeles-clippers-nba-free-agency-sources-say |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=ESPN|date=June 30, 2022 }}</ref>

===Philadelphia 76ers (2023–2024)===
On 1 November 2023, the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] acquired Batum, [[Marcus Morris Sr.]], [[Kenyon Martin Jr.]] and [[Robert Covington]] from the Clippers in exchange for [[James Harden]], [[P. J. Tucker]], and [[Filip Petrušev]]. As part of the trade, the Clippers dealt a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap, and cash considerations to the 76ers, while sending a pick swap and cash considerations to the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Three-Team Deal with LA Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder Completed|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/76ers-trade-harden-tucker-to-clippers|website=NBA.com|date=1 November 2023|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>

===Second stint with Los Angeles Clippers (2024–present)===
On 10 July 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers signed Batum.<ref>{{cite web|title=LA Clippers Sign Nicolas Batum|url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-sign-nicolas-batum|website=NBA.com|date=10 July 2024|access-date=10 July 2024}}</ref>

==Player profile==
Lanky and agile, Batum is regarded as a highly skilled defensive player and one of the NBA's best executors of the [[chase-down block]].<ref name=Freeman>Joe Freeman, "A Lifelong Fondness for Rejection: Nicolas Batum's Signature Chase-Down Block Has Its Roots in his Youthful Appreciation of an All-Star's Prowess," ''The Oregonian,'' March 27, 2013, pp. D1, D4.</ref> Growing up in [[Pont-l'Évêque, Calvados|Pont-l'Évêque]], [[Normandy]], the lanky Batum was among the tallest boys of his age group and began his basketball career as a [[Center (basketball)|center]].<ref name=Freeman /> Inspiration had been drawn from NBA shot-blocking specialist [[Dikembe Mutombo]], known for theatrically wagging his finger after rejections — an affectation which Batum emulated.<ref name=Freeman />

Batum noted in a 2013 interview with the Portland ''Oregonian'' that, as he got older, he was moved from the [[low post]] to the wing, where he was no longer able to make the face-up block, a signature component of his game.<ref name=Freeman /> "I couldn't block it like I used to when I played inside, so when I would see a guy going down the court on a [[fast break]], I used to run behind him and get the block".<ref name=Freeman />

The chase-down block thus became a fundamental part of Batum's game and was a skill brought with him to the NBA. Through March 2013, only two players in the 2012–13 season who did not play center or [[Power forward (basketball)|power forward]] had performed more blocks than Batum — [[Josh Smith]] and [[Kevin Durant]].<ref name=Freeman />

On May 31, 2021, Batum started for [[Los Angeles Clippers]] as a [[Center (basketball)|center]] of the lineup against [[Dallas Mavericks]] in game four of the [[2021 NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stars carry Clippers at Mavs again, 106-81 rout evens series|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401327873|date=May 30, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=May 30, 2021}}</ref>

==National team career==
===Youth career===
[[File:Nicolas batum tournoi douai 2007 06 10.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Batum with the French youth team during the 2007 Douai Tournament]]
In 2006, Batum was named the most valuable player of the Under-18 [[Albert Schweitzer Tournament]] in [[Mannheim]], Germany, as part of the tournament-winning French national team.<ref name="lequipefr" /> Batum averaged 19 points, over 5 rebounds, and over 2 steals per game, during the seven game tournament.

===2012 Summer Olympics===
Batum played for the senior men's [[France national basketball team|French national basketball team]] at the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 Summer Olympics]]. Late in a 66–59 quarterfinal loss to [[Spain men's national basketball team|Spain]], a frustrated Batum punched Spanish player [[Juan Carlos Navarro (basketball)|Juan Carlos Navarro]] in the groin. After the game, Batum said, "I wanted to give him a good reason to [[flop (basketball)|flop]]." Batum later apologized on [[Twitter]], writing, "I showed a bad image of France and myself. and the city of Portland Oregon.  Congrats to team Spain."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--blazers--nic-batum-punches-juan-carlos-navarro-in-groin-in-france-s-loss-to-spain.html|title=Blazers' Nicolas Batum punches Juan Carlos Navarro in groin in France's loss to Spain|work=Yahoo.com|date=August 8, 2012|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>

===2014 FIBA World Cup===
Batum was a member of the French national team that finished third-place in the [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup]], becoming the first French team to win a medal in a [[FIBA Basketball World Cup]] competition. In the final two games he averaged 31.0 points and was subsequently named to the all-tournament team.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/irving-named-mvp-of-2014-fiba-basketball-world-cup-headlines-all-star-five | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921122511/http://www.fiba.basketball/news/irving-named-mvp-of-2014-fiba-basketball-world-cup-headlines-all-star-five | url-status=live | archive-date=September 21, 2018 | title=Irving named MVP of 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, headlines All-Star Five | work=FIBA.com | date=September 14, 2014 | access-date=September 15, 2014}}</ref>

===2020 Summer Olympics===
Batum blocked [[Klemen Prepelič]] at the last second of the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Olympics]] [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Semifinals|semi final]] giving victory to [[France men's national basketball team|France]]. France eventually lost the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Gold medal game|final]] 87–82 to the [[2020 United States men's Olympic basketball team|United States]]. [[Rudy Gobert]] stated that Batum's game-saving play was one of the best blocks he had ever seen.<ref name="sltrib">{{cite web|title=Rudy Gobert says Nic Batum's game-saving play was 'one of the best blocks' he's ever seen|author=The Associated Press|url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/08/05/rudy-gobert-says-nic/|publisher=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]|access-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210805175153/https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/08/05/rudy-gobert-says-nic/|archive-date=5 August 2021}}</ref> His block was ranked as one of the unforgettable moments of the 2020 Summer Olympics.<ref name="fiba">{{cite web|title=Five unforgettable Olympic basketball moments|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/news/five-unforgettable-olympic-moments|publisher=[[FIBA]]|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210809230722/http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/news/five-unforgettable-olympic-moments|archive-date=9 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="eurosport">{{cite web|title=JEUX OLYMPIQUES - AGBEGNENOU, BARSHIM - TAMBERI, LE CONTRE DE BATUM, BILES : NOS COUPS DE COEUR DES JO DE TOKYO|url=https://www.eurosport.fr/jeux-olympiques/tokyo-2020/2020/jeux-olympiques-agbegnenou-barshim-tamberi-le-contre-de-batum-biles-nos-coups-de-coeur-des-jo-de-tok_sto8484321/story.shtml|publisher=[[Eurosport]]|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210809231102/https://www.eurosport.fr/jeux-olympiques/tokyo-2020/2020/jeux-olympiques-agbegnenou-barshim-tamberi-le-contre-de-batum-biles-nos-coups-de-coeur-des-jo-de-tok_sto8484321/story.shtml|archive-date=9 August 2021}}</ref>

===French national team individual awards and honors===
* [[FIBA Basketball World Cup]]: {{bronze medal}} [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup|(2014)]]
* [[FIBA EuroBasket]]: {{gold medal}} [[EuroBasket 2013|(2013)]]
* FIBA EuroBasket: {{silver medal}} [[EuroBasket 2011|(2011)]] 
* [[FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship]]: {{gold medal}} [[2006 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship|2006]]
* [[FIBA Under-19 World Championship|FIBA Under-19 World Cup]]: {{bronze medal}} 2007
* [[2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup#All-Tournament Team|FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team]]: 2014
* [[FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship#MVP Awards (since 1998)|FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship MVP]]: 2006
* [[FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship|FIBA Europe Under-18 All-Tournament Team]]: 2006

==Career statistics==
{{Euroleague player statistics legend|leader=y}}

===NBA===
====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2008}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2008–09 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 79 || 76 || 18.4 || .446 || .369 || .808 || 2.8 || .9 || .6 || .5 || 5.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2009}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2009–10 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 37 || 25 || 24.8 || '''.519''' || '''.409''' || .843 || 3.8 || 1.2 || .6 || .7 || 10.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 80 || 67 || 31.5 || .455 || .345 || .841 || 4.5 || 1.5 || .9 || .6 || 12.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011–12 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 59 || 34 || 30.4 || .451 || .391 || .836 || 4.6 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 13.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2012}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2012–13 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 73 || 73 || '''38.4''' || .423 || .372 || .848 || 5.6 || 4.9 || '''1.2''' || 1.1 || 14.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2013–14 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || 36.0 || .465 || .361 || .803 || '''7.5''' || 5.1 || .9 || .7 || 13.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2014–15 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 71 || 71 || 33.5 || .400 || .324 || .857 || 5.9 || 4.8 || 1.1 || .6 || 9.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2015–16 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 70 || 70 || 35.0 || .426 || .348 || .849 || 6.1 || 5.8 || .9 || .6 || 14.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2016–17 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 77 || 77 || 34.0 || .403 || .333 || .856 || 6.2 || '''5.9''' || 1.1 || .4 || '''15.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2017–18 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 64 || 64 || 31.0 || .415 || .336 || .831 || 4.8 || 5.5 || 1.0 || .4 || 11.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2018}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2018–19 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 75 || 72 || 31.4 || .450 || .389 || .865 || 5.2 || 3.3 || .9 || .6 || 9.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2019–20 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 22 || 3 || 23.0 || .346 || .286 || '''.900''' || 4.5 || 3.0 || .8 || .4 || 3.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2020}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2020–21 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 67 || 38 || 27.4 || .464 || .404 || .828 || 4.7 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .6 || 8.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2021–22 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 59 || 54 || 24.8 || .463 || .400 || .658 || 4.3 || 1.7 || 1.0 || .7 || 8.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2022–23 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 78 || 19 || 21.9 || .420 || .391 || .708 || 3.8 || 1.6 || .7 || .6 || 6.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2023–24 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 3 || 0 || 18.0 || .375 || .286 || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.3 || 1.7 || 1.0 || '''1.3''' || 2.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2023–24 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 57 || 38 || 25.9 || .456 || .399 || .714 || 4.2 || 2.2 || .8 || .6 || 5.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2024–25 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 78 || 8 || 17.5 || .437 || .433 || .810 || 2.8 || 1.1 || .7 || .5 || 4.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 1,131 || 871 || 28.9 || .437 || .369 || .832 || 4.8 || 3.1 || .9 || .6 || 10.0
{{s-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2009 NBA playoffs|2009]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2008–09 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 6 || 5 || 10.5 || '''.556''' || '''.500''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .5 || .2 || .2 || .3 || 2.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010 NBA playoffs|2010]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2009–10 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 6 || 6 || 23.1 || .459 || .429 || .750 || 3.2 || .8 || .3 || .0 || 8.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011 NBA playoffs|2011]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 6 || 0 || 25.1 || .413 || .269 || .750 || 1.7 || 1.3 || .8 || .8 || 8.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2014 NBA playoffs|2014]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2013–14 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 11 ||''' 11''' || '''41.7''' || .472 || .350 || .800 || 7.6 || 4.8 || '''1.3''' || .5 || '''15.2'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2015 NBA playoffs|2015]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2014–15 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 5 || 5 || '''41.7''' || .343 || .333 || .769 || '''8.6''' || '''5.2''' || .2 || .2 || 14.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2016 NBA playoffs|2016]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2015–16 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
| 5 || 2 || 28.8 || .378 || .273 || '''.850''' || 3.6 || 2.0 || .4 || .0 || 11.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2021 NBA playoffs|2021]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2020–21 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| '''19''' || 10 || 29.2 || .486 || .389 || .826 || 5.5 || 2.1 || '''1.3''' || .5 || 8.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2023 NBA playoffs|2023]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2022–23 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 5 || 3 || 18.3 || .421 || .353 || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.2 || 1.2 || .4 || .4 || 4.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2024 NBA playoffs|2024]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2023–24 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 6 || 0 || 28.3 || .414 || .409 || .625 || 5.8 || 1.3 || .2 || .8 || 6.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2025 NBA playoffs|2025]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2024–25 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 7 || 0 || 24.6 || .394 || .394 || {{sort|-|—}} || 3.9 || 2.0 || .9 || '''1.7''' || 5.6
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 76 || 42 || 28.3 || .436 || .361 || .791 || 4.7 || 2.2 || .8 || .6 || 8.6
{{s-end}}

===EuroLeague===
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2006–07 Euroleague|2006–07]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"|[[Le Mans Sarthe Basket|Le Mans]]
| 12 || 2 || 13.5 || '''.500''' || .273 || .769 || 1.7 || .7 || .8 || .4 || 4.3 || 4.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2007–08 Euroleague|2007–08]]
| '''13''' || '''13''' || 26.6 || .453 || .290 || .667 || 3.5 || 2.7 || 1.5 || .5 || 8.5 || 9.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011–12 Euroleague|2011–12]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[SLUC Nancy Basket|Nancy]]
| 6 || 6 || '''37.6''' || .415 || '''.333''' || '''.818''' || '''6.7''' || '''5.2''' || '''1.7''' || '''.7''' || '''15.8''' || '''23.2'''
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 31 || 21 || 23.6 || .449 || .298 || .765 || 3.4 || 2.4 || 1.2 || .5 || 8.3 || 10.3
{{s-end}}

==Personal life==
In March 2017, Batum became a shareholder in Infinity Nine Sports, the company owned by [[Tony Parker]], which runs French basketball club [[ASVEL Basket]], and took over the position as director of basketball operations at ASVEL.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://asvelbasket.com/nicolas-batum-nouvel-actionnaire-de-lasvel-basket/|title=Nicolas BATUM, nouvel actionnaire de l'ASVEL Basket - Asvel Basket|date=2017-03-29|work=Asvel Basket|access-date=2017-03-31|language=fr-FR}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of European basketball players in the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Nicolas Batum}}
* {{basketballstats |nba=201587 |bbr=b/batumni01}}
* [http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=KOH Nicolas Batum] at euroleague.net
* {{FIBA profile|new_id=146596|old_id=47811}}
* [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/nicolas-batum_1573628 Nicolas Batum] at the [[Paris 2024 Summer Olympics]]
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Team France}}
* {{CNOSF}}

{{Los Angeles Clippers current roster}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{2008 NBA draft}}
{{FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship MVP Award}}
{{Navboxes|title= France squads|bg= #0055A4|fg= white | bordercolor = #EF4135
|list1=
{{France Squad EuroBasket 2011}}
{{France Squad EuroBasket 2013}}
{{France Squad 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup}}
{{France Squad EuroBasket 2015}}
{{France Squad 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup}}
{{France Men Basketball Squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{France Men Basketball Squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Batum, Nicolas}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2010 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Black French sportspeople]]
[[Category:Charlotte Hornets players]]
[[Category:French expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:French men's basketball players]]
[[Category:French sportspeople of Cameroonian descent]]
[[Category:Houston Rockets draft picks]]
[[Category:Le Mans Sarthe Basket players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Clippers players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:NBA players from France]]
[[Category:Olympic basketball players for France]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for France]]
[[Category:People from Lisieux]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers players]]
[[Category:Portland Trail Blazers players]]
[[Category:Shooting guards]]
[[Category:SLUC Nancy Basket players]]
[[Category:Small forwards]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Calvados (department)]]
[[Category:21st-century French sportsmen]]