Between them, they accumulate 282 selections. De Colo, Lauvergne and Moerman are making their big comeback to France this season, after several years spent in major European clubs and in the jersey of the France team, even if only the first mentioned is a manager.
We must even add to this list the leader Edwin Jackson, who returned to help Nanterre, where he had evolved in his early days, as a medical freelancer.
“It’s good to see them play in France again, they were trained here, rejoices Elie Okobo, who will evolve with Moerman in Monaco. That they come back here is cool for the league. »
Leaving Asvel, Okobo left an empty playmaker or full-back spot, which Colo hastened to take, quickly joined by the interior Lauvergne, with whom he played at Fenerbahçe during the 2019-2020 season.
“We give back a little to our country what it gave us at the beginning, because we are all from French training, whatever the cities where we evolved”, breath of Colo, gone abroad he thirteen years ago.
Asvel starts from zero or almost
The three Blues have come to strengthen the two armadas of the championship, Lyon-Villeurbanne, triple champion of France in title, and Monaco, finalist in 2018, 2019 and 2022, which is still chasing its first coronation.
This season again, the duo seems untouchable. “I think there is an Asvel-Monaco rivalry, (…) which is building, which is gaining momentum”, notes Okobo, who left Villeurbanne for the principality in the off-season.
Except that in addition to Okobo, Asvel has lost many players: the Americans Marcos Knight and Chris Jones, the Greek Kostas Antetokounmpo, and the French William Howard, Matthew Strazel and Victor Wembanyama.
“It’s always complicated to lose so many players each year, you always have to rebuild and you start from scratch,” sighs coach TJ Parker.
Monaco better armed than last year
Especially since the ASM saw Dwayne Bacon and Paris Lee leave, the club has kept its trio Mike James, Donatas Motiejunas, Alpha Diallo and seems even better armed than last season.
“They had a great team last year too. There, it’s power 4. We don’t have the same financial means as Monaco, not the same economic system either. We are going to do the best we can, we are building as intelligently as possible,” says TJ Parker.
The coach is however pleased “to have two large teams which are locomotives for French basketball”.
Wembanyama, one last season before the NBA
Because in the shadow of the two giants, the Metropolitans 92 of Levallois-Perret continue to grow. They snatched this summer from Asvel the great hope of French basketball Victor Wembanyama (18 years old, 2.21 m), who is expected to be selected in first position in the NBA lottery at the end of the season.
“The Metropolitans offered me a pleasant, protective environment, where I can be totally focused on basketball and my development, justified Wembanyama. It is the choice of a certain security and insurance before the big jump. »
Back in his native Paris region, the player with a wingspan of 2.43m will benefit from a more organized collective around him, under the orders of Vincent Collet, also coach of the France team, who won the medal. of money to the Euro on Sunday.
A favorite of the French public during this competition, the captain of Le Mans Terry Tarpey will be able to enjoy his new notoriety on the floors of the Elite. “I think I’m not too much of a star, I’m myself,” he smiles.
The Metropolitans 92 will open the new Elite season on Friday in Gravelines (8 p.m.), just like Roanne by receiving Blois. Monaco will travel to Nanterre on Saturday (8 p.m.), while Asvel will go to Cholet on Sunday (7 p.m.), where Nando de Colo will find the club that made him start.
