While the professional future of AS Monaco Basketball remains uncertain, several former players of the Roca Team are continuing their careers on European and American courts. Alpha Diallo made his NBA debut with Denver, Matthew Strazel has impressed with Anadolu Efes, and Mike James underwent surgery after an Achilles tendon rupture.
Alpha Diallo discovers the NBA, Matthew Strazel shines in Euroleague
Five seasons after his arrival at AS Monaco Basketball, Alpha Diallo has reached a new level. At 29 years old, the American forward played his first official match in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, Thursday, October 22. Despite his team’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder (84-96), the former Roca Team player received 22 minutes of playing time.
Alpha Diallo finished the match with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Significant playing time for a first appearance, particularly favored by Cameron Johnson’s right ankle injury. The former Monaco player even started the second half.
Last season, Alpha Diallo was voted Euroleague Defensive Player of the Year. His arrival in the North American championship marks a new chapter after five seasons under Monaco colors.
For his part, Matthew Strazel delivered a remarkable performance with Anadolu Efes. On Friday, October 23, the Turkish club won on the Zalgiris Kaunas court (70-85), two days after a home loss against Bayern Munich.
The former Roca Team point guard scored 19 points, with 5 successful shots out of 12 attempts, to which he added 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 24 minutes. With a rating of 22, Matthew Strazel signed his best offensive performance since arriving at Anadolu Efes.
After six Euroleague games, the Frenchman is averaging 13.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 23 minutes of play. Statistics that confirm his place in the Turkish club’s offensive rotation.
Mike James undergoes surgery after Achilles tendon injury
The week was also marked by the serious injury of Mike James. The American point guard ruptured his Achilles tendon during a match played in Belgrade. The all-time leading scorer in Euroleague history left the court on a stretcher.
Back in Istanbul, the player underwent surgery the very next day at a private clinic. The operation was successful, but the injury requires a long rehabilitation period. The exact length of his absence is not specified even though his season is very likely over.
Several former teammates from AS Monaco Basketball visited him at the hospital during the night from Friday to Saturday. Matthew Strazel, who now plays alongside him at Anadolu Efes, was present, as were Élie Okobo, Georgios Papagiannis, and Jaron Blossomgame.
From his hospital bed, Mike James shared a photograph of this visit with the caption “Love yall for real.” A message addressed to his former partners as the point guard begins a recovery period.
The future of AS Monaco Basketball remains in doubt
While his former players continue their careers abroad, the future of AS Monaco Basketball remains uncertain. The club was excluded from Betclic Elite and Elite 2 following decisions by the National Management and Control Council (DNCCG), then by the appeals chamber of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB).
On August 28, 2026, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) recommended maintaining this exclusion. The Roca Team then appealed to the FFBB federal board for an urgent review of its situation.
The Monaco club states that its financial situation has changed since the initial decisions and asks to “be judged on today’s reality.” According to information reported by L’Équipe, a new investor from the agribusiness industry would be ready to inject 10 million euros into the club’s capital. AS Monaco Basketball had thus considered a budget of 14 million euros for the 2026-2027 season.
Pending an outcome for the men’s team, Monaco Basketball Association (MBA) has set up at the Gaston-Médecin hall. The women’s team, undefeated leader of League 2 after four matchdays according to information provided, is aiming for promotion to La Boulangère Wonderligue.
Monaco basketball thus remains present on the courts, despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of its professional men’s team.
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