Elie Okobo: 'I chose Monaco because of their EuroLeague performance' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: EuroLeague Basketball via GettyImages Credit EuroLeague Basketball via GettyImages

Elie Okobo officially signed with AS Monaco on Friday, after the signing, the French guard talked in a press conference about new challenges in the upcoming seasons and the French LNB final series three weeks ago against his new team on the side of his former team LDLC Villeurbanne ASVEL.

Points this season

48%83,4Points made:83,4Accuracy:48,1%Place in standings:1Record max:107Record min:54Best scorer:Mike JamesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

When asked about the final series, Okobo said the atmosphere was crazy in the game 5.

"It was incredible, a match with enormous intensity. Very high quality show for all the basketball fans," said Okobo.

"It came down to the small details in game 5, which was a real fight. We struggled to win in Monaco against ASVEL and give ourselves the right to finish at home," Okobo continued.

"The atmosphere was crazy, everyone felt the atmosphere on the floor," added the French guard.

Okobo was one of the leaders in the final series against Monaco and revealed he was focused to win a title, despite rumors that started showing up that he might leave ASVEL and join their current opponent.

"I always stayed focused on my goal, despite the few rumors that came out about me during the final," said Okobo.

"After my injury, I needed to find a major role within a club. In the United States, I was there as a rookie," said Okobo.

"At ASVEL, I wanted to bring all my teammates with me and win a title. I came for that," added the French guard.

When asked why he chose to join Monaco, Okobo had great compliments for his opponents in the French LNB finals.

"Monaco is a very competitive team, we have seen it in the EuroLeague. They were very close to go to the Final Four," Okobo explained.

"The Final Four is something I want. And I know that this team has the capabilities," Okobo showed belief in his new team.

Okobo had interest from big-name teams like Real Madrid or Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul but chose Monaco anyways.

Elie Okobo

MIN:27.52PTS:14.52 (53.23%)REB:2.78As:3.93ST:0.74BL:0.07TO:3.11GM:27ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

"I decided to choose Monaco, because of the performance shown last year in the EuroLeague, there are big goals for this coming season," Okobo explained his choice again.

"To go even further in the EuroLeague, and win the title in the French league. I think I can be a piece that can help with that," added Okobo,

"In any case, I want to be part of such a project with great ambitions, and the desire to always raise the team to the highest level," continued the French player.

When asked if he watched the EuroLeague playoff series between Monaco and Olympiacos Piraeus, Okobo said he was busy with their preparation for French LNB playoffs, but managed to catch a little bit of it.

"We were in full preparation for the playoffs with ASVEL and had the ambition to finish first in the regular season, but I was able to follow it a little, yes," said Okobo.

"The suspense remained intact until the last two minutes of the series," recalled the French guard.

"Monaco didn't give up, and winning once in Piraeus in such a playoff atmosphere is already a great thing. The players showed their full potential," said Okobo.

It was the first Euroleague season for Okobo this year, but he said he was determined to perform well already.

"When I arrived in France, I really got it into my head that I was going to play in the EuroLeague to perform there and be one of the top players in this league," the French player revealed.

"I gave it my all. I was looking forward to discovering the EuroLeague because even in the NBA we hear about it," explained Okobo.

"The way of playing is completely different, but it's the world's top level. I took great pleasure, and I want to go even higher," said Okobo.

"Every game is important in this competition, and the level of concentration is essential," said the French player. "That's what struck me, the smallest detail counts for the rest of the season," added Okobo.

The French player when asked if he talked to Monaco head coach Sasa Obradovic, revealed he had a conversation with his new coach over the phone.

"We talked over the phone because I didn't have time to see him after the finals. He congratulated me," started the answer Okobo.

"I can't wait to see how it works with Sasa. He is a coach who has the experience, it is very framed, and it will be very good," added the French guard.

"I will still learn a lot from him. Keep growing, and getting better, that's what attracts me," Okobo concluded the answer.

Okobo also talked that another reason why he came to Monaco is that he likes challenges and would like to bring the first French LNB title to the team.

"That's what I want, that's why I came to Monaco. I am a competitor and I like challenges," explained Okobo.

"I wanted to be part of the most competitive team possible to go far on all counts," added Okobo.

"I took the lead this year as leader of my team, and I look forward to fine-tuning all that with Monaco in the coming seasons. It's a new chapter that opens for me with great goals," said the French player.

In 2018 Okobo with Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez scored 44 points against Monaco and he recalls it very well.

"My match at that time against Monaco with Pau was quite incredible. I was playing my first playoffs and I had an important role in this team," said Okobo who was 20 years old back then.

"Despite the defeat, it is certain that individually I showed great success and it was rather spectacular," added Okobo.

"It is certainly part of one of my best individual performances, but for example match 5 of the finals this year counted more in view of the stakes of the fate of the meeting," Okobo compared the two games.

When asked about EuroBasket 2022, Okobo revealed he would like to join the French national team.

"There was this international window, and yes it is a real objective to be able to be part of this list to represent my country in a high competition like this" said Okobo.

The 24-year-old guard said he still wants to be back in the NBA, where he had a short stint with the Phoenix Suns few years ago.

"Yes always. When you have tasted it, you necessarily want more. I could see how it was and I think I have the potential to achieve great things there[NBA]," said Okobo.

"But above all, I want to focus on my next matches with Monaco. I'm only focused on that," continued Okobo.

"For the NBA, we'll see when I'm ready. Before that, I want to develop my qualities and continue to progress," concluded the French player.

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