Monaco GM Yefimov: 'Our main goal is to become a EuroLeague shareholder' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Edu Candel/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Edu Candel/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Day by day, AS Monaco continue assembling a powerful squad for next season.

2-pointers this season

54%22,0Points made:22,0Accuracy:54,5%Place in standings:1Record max:32Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Donatas MotiejūnasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The retained parts of the team: coach Sasa Obradovic, Mike James, Donta Hall, and Alpha Diallo were joined by star newcomers of Elie Okobo, Jordan Lloyd, John Brown, and Jaron Blossomgame.

According to the Monaco Tribune, the basketball club will have approximately 20,000,000 euros budget for the upcoming season. In comparison, the Roca Team had 14,000,000 euros at their disposal last campaign.

"Alexey Fedorychev [club owner] is fully committed to the project and he is ready to increase his financial contribution," GM Oleksiy Yefimov told Monaco Tribune.

"The Government of Monaco also gives us enormous support, but according to the EuroLeague financial fair play rules, the shareholders of the clubs cannot inject more than 50% of the total budget. We are therefore working on the creation of a commercial operations department which will aim to increase the club's income."

Increased revenue could push Monaco among the wealthiest EuroLeague clubs. Last season, Monaco had the fourteenth lowest budget out of the eighteen EuroLeague participants.

Still, it didn't prevent the team from reaching the quarterfinals in their debut EuroLeague season.

"Over the past 12 months, we have gone from a 'no name' team to a Final Four contender. Our epic quarter-final battle against Olympiacos generated enormous interest in France and throughout Europe.

According to the latest consumer reports, Roca Team has become the most recognized basketball brand in France, ahead of ASVEL and Limoges - two historical clubs," said Yefimov.

The Principality squad does not hide that its main goal is to have a permanent license in the strongest continental competition.

"The main goal is to become a shareholder of the EuroLeague, but first we will have to get closer to the wild card for several years. That's why we have to show that Monaco is a solid and sustainable project with a vision for the long-term development of sports, economy, and infrastructure.

In September, we will be able to welcome fans in the gym of 5,000 seats, which will meet the minimum capacity, required by the EuroLeague organization. The government of Monaco is doing real miracles," GM spoke.

Moreover, Yefimov has no doubts that AS Monaco will achieve their playing goals with the Serbian head coach Sasa Obradovic, who recently extended his contract for another three seasons.

"We have complete confidence in Obradovic. This is the second time he has taken over the team during the season and managed to turn the situation around in a positive way. He is completely connected to the team and the Principality of Monaco. Sasa has the red-and-white heart and Monaco's soul."

Last but not least, Oleksiy Yefimov touched on the strategy that now involves team players.

"In previous seasons, we were criticized, because after every successful run, we couldn't keep our main players. I think the fact that Mike James is staying with us for the long term sends another strong message to the community: we want to have continuity in the team. Our market strategy will be built on the idea of ​​having long-term player contracts," Yefimov concluded.

Current roster

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AS Monaco

Position Player Status PG Mike James (story) Signed until 2024 PG Elie Okobo (story) Signed until 2024 SG Jordan Loyd (story) Signed until 2024 SF Jaron Blossomgame (story) Signed until 2023 +1 SF Armel Traore Long-term contract SF Alpha Diallo (story) Signed until 2025 PF/C John Brown III (story) Signed until 2024 C Donta Hall (story) Signed until 2025 Coach Sasa Obradovic (story) Expired contract Leo Westermann, Paris Lee (will not return), Dwayne Bacon, Yakuba Ouattara, Danilo Andjusic (will not return), Jerry Boutsiele (will not return), Will Thomas (will not return), Brock Motum (will not return), Donatas Motiejunas, Ibrahima Fall-Faye, Rudy Demahis Rumored to leave Yakuba Ouattara (story), Rob Gray (will not return) Interested Donatas Motiejunas (story),Mateusz Ponitka, Adrien Moerman

See all the EuroLeague transfer market newshere.

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