When Sylvain Francisco arrived in Kaunas, Lithuania, last summer, expectations were polite. A 23‑year‑old French guard with flashes of brilliance in France's LNB Pro A, few foresaw the immediate impact he would have in Europe's top club competition. Less than four months into the 2025‑26 season, he's done more than impress; he's rewritten the ambitions of Žalgiris Kaunas and claimed MVP of the Month for October.
Through eight EuroLeague games in October, Žalgiris went 6‑2, toppling heavyweights including FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, and Virtus Bologna. At the heart of each win was Francisco: calm, composed, and yet impossible to ignore. He averaged 14.9 points and 6.8 assists per game, shot 54.1% on two‑pointers and 40.4% from three, and posted a PIR (Performance Index Rating) of 18.9, the second‑highest among all guards.
Round 7's 86‑65 rout of Virtus Bologna marked his declaration. The 6'1" French point guard posted 23 points and a career‑high 10 assists, his first EuroLeague double‑double. In transition, he was dangerous; in the half‑court, he was unselfish.
"Being MVP of the Month is amazing, I didn't expect it, and I am really happy. I'm dancing inside," he told the EuroLeague & Friends: MVP Talk podcast.
"All I wanted is to make sure that we are winning… our goal is the playoffs."
What separates Francisco is not just flashes, but dependability. He posted at least 7 assists in five of the eight games, scored in double-digits six times, and knocked down at least one three‑pointer in every match. Defences collapsed on him, lanes opened, and yet he never forced the ball; every read seemed deliberate, every move purposeful.
His award carries historical weight. He becomes only the fifth Žalgiris player to win EuroLeague MVP of the Month and the fifth French player to secure the honour. Youth, nationality, and immediate impact combine to place him in rare company.
On the court, his versatility is striking. In pick‑and‑rolls, he balances scoring threats with sharp passing. He can finish through contact, stroke it from distance, and produce abrupt defensive plays, a modern guard moulded for both ends. A complete package, quietly running the show.
With the season still young, Žalgiris' early momentum runs through Francisco. His scoring, playmaking and leadership have already transformed Kaunas into a legitimate playoff contender, and more than that, he's emerged as the blueprint for the modern EuroLeague guard. Francisco's MVP of the Month isn't just recognition: it's a statement. He's arrived, and the league is paying attention.
