AS Monaco Basketball continues to lose the main architects of its successes. After Mike James and Matthew Strazel, Jaron Blossomgame, Élie Okobo, Kevarrius Hayes and Alpha Diallo have officially found new homes. These departures come as the French champions continue to secure their future in Betclic Élite and finalize a takeover.
AS Monaco Basketball’s squad is emptying week after week. A few weeks after the Betclic Élite title, the departures are accumulating and definitively turning the page on a generation that allowed the Roca Team to establish itself among the leading forces in French and European basketball.
The first symbol of this end of cycle remains Mike James. The leading scorer in EuroLeague history and MVP of the 2024 regular season, the American point guard has signed with Anadolu Efes Istanbul for one season, with an additional year as an option. Arriving in the Principality in 2021, Mike James leaves Monaco after three French championship titles, two French Cups and a 2025 EuroLeague final. In Istanbul, the point guard will reunite with Matthew Strazel, who also left this summer.
The departures then accelerated. Present on the Rock since 2022, Jaron Blossomgame will continue his career with Dubai Basketball until 2028. In four seasons in the Monégasque colors, the American forward will have won three French championships, two French Cups, a Leaders Cup and a Supercup. Jaron Blossomgame also participated in two EuroLeague Final Fours, including the 2025 final. In the fifth game of the finals against Paris Basketball, the former Clemson player scored 19 points to help Monaco claim another title.
A few hours later, Dubai Basketball also officially announced the arrival of Élie Okobo. Returning to France after an NBA experience, the French shooting guard leaves Monaco after five seasons. Named MVP of the last Betclic Élite season, Élie Okobo leaves after an exercise averaging 17 points and leaves behind three French championship titles with the Roca Team. The Emirati club is thus attracting two major leaders of the French champions.
The interior position is also affected. Arriving last summer from Paris Basketball, Kevarrius Hayes has signed with Partizan Belgrade after just one season in the Principality. Used in rotation behind Daniel Theis, the American center participated in Monaco’s quadruple national achievement with the Supercup, Leaders Cup, French Cup and championship. In his farewell message, the club praised “A player with exemplary behavior, who proved on the court his sense of sacrifice and devotion to the team.”
Alpha Diallo’s departure is now official. A few days after initial rumors, the American-Guinean forward has signed a one-season contract with the Denver Nuggets. Named EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year in 2026, Diallo leaves Monaco after five seasons marked by constant progression. Having become one of the continent’s best defenders, the 29-year-old will discover the NBA after greatly contributing to the Roca Team’s successes.
Daniel Theis and Terry Tarpey are also among the players who will no longer wear the Monégasque jersey next season.
A financial crisis accelerating reconstruction
This profound reshaping of the squad is explained by the economic situation facing the French champions. The financial difficulties of the main shareholder, Aleksej Fedorycsev, whose assets remain frozen as part of the Ukraine conflict, have severely weakened the club in recent months. Payment delays notably marked the end of the season and contributed to the decisions of several leaders to pursue their careers elsewhere.
On the administrative front, AS Monaco must still convince the National Board of Directors and Management Control (DNCCG), which initially refused its participation in Betclic Élite. The deficit is estimated at eight million euros, to which are added the 16 million euros advanced since March by the National Finance Company to allow the club to finish the season. Several creditors have begun to be reimbursed while discussions with a group of American investors, led by former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn, continue in order to save the Roca Team.
Prince Albert II calls for finding a buyer
Concerns now extend beyond the sporting realm. Present Friday at the Tour de France, Prince Albert II acknowledged following the case’s developments with close attention. “Not everything is settled yet so we have to wait until next week for the final decision”, said the Monégasque sovereign in comments reported by L’Équipe, referring to ongoing discussions with a potential buyer.
The Monégasque head of state also acknowledged his concern about the club’s situation. “We are quite concerned about the basketball situation”, confided Prince Albert II, before insisting on the need to find a solution quickly. “There must absolutely be a buyer who presents a coherent plan”, added the sovereign, while ruling out the possibility of AS Monaco Basketball being acquired by the Principality.
The coming days will be decisive for the future of the Roca Team. As Mike James, Jaron Blossomgame, Élie Okobo, Kevarrius Hayes, Alpha Diallo and several other leaders have already left the club, Monaco is now fighting another battle: preserving its place in Betclic Élite and laying the foundations for a new sporting project.
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