The reconstruction is now official on the banks of the Rhône. Exiting in the quarter-finals of the Women’s League play-offs with a decimated squad, Asvel announced this Monday the departure of six players. Leading figures of the Rhone project, Marine Johannès and Gabby Williams were at the end of their contract and will not be returning. The point guard (1.78 m, 29 years old) had been playing at the club for five years while the winger (1.80 m, 27 years old) had joined two seasons ago. Endy Miyem (1.88 m, 35 years old) also leaves the Lionesses at the end of his one-year lease.
Two other French internationals are leaving before the end of their contract. Marine Fauthoux (1.74 m, 23 years old) has activated a departure clause running until April 30, in return for compensation paid to the Lionesses, and is particularly coveted by Mersin (Turkey). Finally, Héléna Ciak (1.97 m, 34 years old), who arrived in 2019 like Johannès, will not play a sixth season with Asvel. Belgian leader Julie Allemand (1.73 m, 27 years old) is following the same path after having activated a departure clause.
Now led by Yoann Cabioc’h, the Rhone squad retains four players: captain Alexia Chery, Sandrine Gruda, Juste Jocyte and Laura Quevedo. Asvel also announces the return of Dominique Malonga, loaned to Tarbes this season and crowned best young player in the Championship. But the interior (1.97 m, 18 years old) would like to stay in the Pyrenees according to Le Progrès while her contract binds her to the Lionesses until 2026.
