Roca Team dominates Paris to become Betclic Elite French champions 2024
AS Monaco Basket are Betclic Elite French Champions for the second year running © AS Monaco Basket
On Wednesday, June 12, the Monegasques defeated Paris Basketball at home, at the Adidas Arena, with a score of 76-115 in Game 4 of the grand final. AS Monaco Basket are French champions for the second year in a row!
They did it! The Monegasques pulled it off again this year and are Betclic Elite French champions for the second season running. Thanks to a fabulous Mike James and an explosive Elie Okobo, the Roca Team completely stifled the Parisians in the fourth game of the championship final.
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Monaco shines bright, Paris in their shadow
The result was clear and decisive. Monaco beat Paris by 39 points in a game where the Parisians looked totally outgunned. Monaco did not disappoint and pulled out all the stops to overcome the Parisian side.
Monaco’s first quarter was incredible! At 19-0 just five minutes into the game, and with 37 points scored at the quarter time buzzer, the Roca Team displayed an impenetrable defence and an attack that was equal to the occasion. Then, in quarters two and three, Monaco didn’t let up!
AS Monaco’s Elie Okobo spoke live to L’Équipe : « We promised ourselves it wouldn’t go to game five in Monaco, everyone was determined to give 100%, and I think that showed tonight. Everyone put in the work, everyone was on the same wavelength, defensively especially because we knew that in attack we would score the points.”
The players then celebrated their victory in style in the dressing room, with champagne corks popping, dousing the whole team:
Mike James MVP of the final, his swansong?
After an unconvincing semi-final, ‘The Natural’ was on fire in the final, in each of the four games. 82 points, eight rebounds and thirteen assists: Mike James’ record is colossal, showing once again he is definitely the team’s playmaker.
However, after the season closes the summer transfer window opens, and James will surely be courted by European or American clubs. The American’s season, which saw him win a number of honourable titles and break some long-standing records, will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere.
As the leader of the team, it’s hard to imagine a bright future without Mike James, but for the moment there has been no official announcement, so let’s make the most of this exceptional player’s talent.
An exceptional performance after a European campaign that also provided a lot of excitement for Monegasque supporters. Congratulations to the players and roll on next season, bigger and better!
Stéphane Valeri
Season summary
The team has immense potential. There’s no doubt that the Roca Team will be writing more exciting chapters in France, but especially in Europe! Having finished third in the season’s regular Euroligue standings, AS Monaco Basket can aim even higher, perhaps scaling European summits.
After all, this season, AS Monaco Basket has shown that it has a solid foundation and unshakeable nerve, capable of climbing any mountain. Despite being knocked out of the French cup and Euroligue early on, the 2023-2024 season will go down in history thanks to this hard-fought second title.
Now it’s time for a well-earned break for the players, before the new season starts in August. Daghe Mùnegu!