The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lighty inks long-term deal with French team
One of the top players to come through The News-Herald coverage area will continue his overseas until at least 2024.
David Lighty, a Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Ohio State alumnus, signed a two-year contract extension with ASVEL Basket — the club he’s played for since 2017. The club announced the move on its website June 4, featuring a video that shows clips of lights being turned on before Lighty speaks to the camera.
“Leave the light on a little longer,” Lighty says. “Probably until 2024.”
Lighty is in his second stint with ASVEL after he played for the team based in Lyon, France, from 2014-16.
Last season, Lighty averaged 9.8 points in 22.9 minutes per game as ASVEL finished first in its league and won the French Cup.
Team president and former Spurs point guard Tony Parker pointed to Lighty’s locker room presence and his desire for Lighty finish his career with ASVEL in a statement included in the team’s release.
“For me, the future of LDLC ASVEL cannot be imagined without David,” Parker said. “I have never hidden my special attachment for this player and I believe that I am not the only one at the club.”
Lighty’s extension was announced a day after the organization added former Cleveland State star Norris Cole, who won two NBA championships alongside LeBron James in Miami.
During his nine-year career spent with teams in Italy and France, Lighty has won two French Cups, three Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro A titles and was named the LNB Pro A Finals MVP in 2013.
Last summer, Lighty teamed up with fellow Ohio State alumni Aaron Craft, Jon Diebler and William Buford in The Basketball Tournament. He helped lead Carmen’s Crew to a TBT title that netted the group $2 million in prize money, and scored a team-high 17 points in the championship game.