AS Monaco Basket, also known as AS Monaco or Roca Team, is a professional basketball club based in Monaco, competing in both the LNB Pro A (French top-tier league) and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Although a relatively small nation, Monaco has become a rising force in European basketball thanks to the club’s recent successes and elite organizational structure.
History and Origins
The basketball section of AS Monaco was established in 1928 as part of the wider Association Sportive de Monaco, the principality’s multi-sport club. The team spent much of its history playing in the lower divisions of French basketball but saw a major transformation in the 2010s following new investments and structural reforms.
The club returned to France’s top division (Pro A) in 2015 and rapidly climbed the ranks of European competition.
Recent Successes and EuroLeague Rise
AS Monaco gained international attention after winning the Basketball Champions League in 2018. In 2021, the team secured the EuroCup title, granting them promotion to the EuroLeague, Europe’s premier basketball competition. Since then, Monaco has become a regular playoff contender, making a historic Final Four appearance in 2023.
The club boasts a roster of high-profile international players, including Mike James, Donatas Motiejūnas, and Elie Okobo, and is coached by Sasa Obradović, known for his aggressive defensive systems and tactical discipline.
AS Monaco (Created by artificial intelligence)
Home Arena and Infrastructure
AS Monaco plays its home games at the Salle Gaston Médecin, a compact but modern arena located within the Stade Louis II complex in Fontvieille. Plans for expansion are ongoing to meet EuroLeague arena standards.
Despite its small capacity, the venue is known for its intense atmosphere and close proximity between fans and players, offering a unique basketball experience in the heart of the Riviera.
AS Monaco Game (Created by artificial intelligence)
Cultural and Sporting Impact
AS Monaco represents a rare case in European basketball: a top-tier team from a microstate competing against and defeating some of the continent's giants. The club is widely respected for its efficient management, financial stability, and ambitious sporting vision.
Its rise has inspired similar clubs across Europe to invest in sustainable growth, focusing on youth development and strategic recruitment. The team also plays an important role in expanding basketball’s popularity in French-speaking territories.
