PARIS - French Basketball Federation President Jean-Pierre Siutat has paid tribute to Alain Gilles after French Basketball lost one of its true legends.

Following on from the recent loss of another leading figure in the late André Buffière, Gilles passed away at the age of 69 this week - having left an indelible mark on the French game according to Siutat.

He said, "This is very sad news, since Alain Gilles is an icon of French basketball and has left his mark as part of the history of our sport.

"We have lost a player of great class and a man who proudly wore the Tricolore jersey.

"Losing two monuments of French basketball (with André Buffière) in such a short time is very hard.

"My thoughts are for the family and friends of Alain Gilles in these painful times."

"Next weekend, we will  show our respect on all of the basketball courts in France, with a minute of silence in honour of Alain Gilles," added Siutat.

A precocious talent who was simply known as ‘Gillou’ to his friends, team-mates and colleagues, Gilles played 160 recorded international games for his nation. He debuted as a 17-year-old and went on to score 2,282 points - the seventh highest total of all time.

After starting his pro-career at Chorale de Roanne, Gilles then spent almost a quarter of a century as a player and coach at ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne.

Fast, tough, elusive, creative and decisive on the court, many had viewed him as being ahead of his time. He was also credited for keeping his heart in France and turning down moves to several giants of the European game - something which was rewarded by his conquest of eight championship trophies and two cups in his homeland.

The sentiments of Federation President Siutat were loudly echoed by Patrick Beesley, the Director General of the FFBB.

He said, "It is a sad day for French basketball. We are losing the most iconic player of his generation.

"An outstanding player, he was rightly nicknamed ‘Mr. Basketball.’

Alain Gilles by FFBB

"Alain Gilles dominated for 23 seasons between Roanne and Villeurbanne. By his actions, he ranks heavily as one of the geniuses in the history of French basketball and he heavily influenced a whole generation of players.

"He was a man of exceptional kindness and he never missed an opportunity to return the many anecdotes of his long career.

"At this time of sorrow, I extend to his family and his loved ones my deepest condolences."

The accomplishments of Gilles were also recognised via his award of the prestigious "Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur" as well as the National Order of Merit.

FIBA