The Stade Rochelais Basket, a French basketball team, has signed American guard Evan Gilyard to replace injured player Jase Townsend, who will be out for several months. Gilyard, 28 years old and 1.77 meters tall, is the second medical pigiste—a term used in French sports to describe a player signed to cover for an injured teammate—after Bensley Joseph. He will join his new teammates next week and remain with the team until the end of the year. Gilyard, a native of Chicago, has a strong athletic and technical background, having trained in the NCAA for five years between 2017 and 2022, notably for New Mexico State. His professional career has taken him to the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Canada, as well as to the G-League with the Memphis Hustle and Greensboro Swarm, where he was champion with Tidjane Salaun. This summer, he played for the Calgary Surge in the CEBL (Canada), averaging 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 16.9 rating in ten games. Coach Germain Castano praised Gilyard's versatility, noting that despite his small stature, he has a real volume of play, is fast, and is a real offensive threat. Defensively, he is also interesting despite his size. Castano said the team is very happy to have this new force, as they do not currently have a mixed profile like Gilyard. Gilyard expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Stade Rochelais Basket, stating that the club offered him the opportunity to participate in something exceptional and to develop at all levels. He mentioned his eagerness to contribute to winning a new title for the club, supporters, and the city, having recently won a title in the G-League. He aims to bring his energy, leadership, and qualities until the return of Jase Townsend from injury.