NBA Europe, Euroleague, new room, Vassilis Spanoulis, Mike James… Oleksiy Yefimov confides in RMC Sport. general manager of AS Monaco Basket, the Ukrainian leader, in charge of La Roca Team since 2012 in N1, speaks before match 3 of his team in Barcelona this Wednesday (7 p.m.) in the quarterfinals of the Euroligue.
Oleksiy Yefimov, Monaco leads 2-0 in the quarter-final Euroligue against Barcelona. What are your impressions after these first two games?
I think that on these two games, we produced our best basketball of the season. It is important to note that we had different decisive players, X factors in the first and second match. For example, inside, in the first, Daniel Theis was incredible on both sides of the field. During the next match, Mam Jaiteh did the job. It is good to show that we have a real team and that we do not only depend on one or a few key players. I think it’s crucial in this kind of series. I would also like to highlight the physical level we have shown.
We also saw 21 and 28 assists on these two games. Is it a better monaco than the previous three seasons in Euroligue?
I think it’s a different version of Monaco and that’s what we all wanted to see. We wanted less insulation, less than one against one and more team basketball. We want a team that plays chess on the field.
Is the choice of Vassilis Spanoulis, who arrived on the bench last November, already a success?
Yes, without a doubt. I think it is already visible that we play differently. We also see that he is a character who is not afraid of anything. And he knows how to spread this character in the locker room. This is very important because, especially in crucial matches like the playoffs, it is a question of character. And I think he will improve by acquiring experience. I have the feeling that he wants to create the same inheritance as the one he left when he was a player. He wants to do the same thing as a coach. I think this is an excellent synergy. He is a young coach, we are still a young project. So I hope that we will create our common heritage.
What has it brought to the team?
Very simple answer: it is very difficult to find someone who does not consider defeats as an opportunity. For him, it’s just a part of the process. He understood that it was impossible to win all the matches. If there is a defeat, it is not a problem. It’s just a moment that you have to overcome, Take the lesson and leave stronger.
What is the goal for this end of the season?
Now the goal is to win this third match against Barcelona, which is the most important step to go to Abu Dhabi (where the Final Four will take place from May 23 to 25, editor’s note). It will be very difficult in Barcelona. We understand that on their field, it will be a different match. We must remain concentrated, we must be determined, as we showed last week. We go step by step. Today, we focus on the next match against Barcelona. We also aim for a third title of consecutive French champion.
But do you think you can win the Euroligue this year?
Of course, that’s what we are going to aim. But again, Step by step. We focus on these playoffs. I think all the teams still in the race will do their best. The Final Four format can balance the chances. It is only played on two 40 -minute games.
We saw him two years ago in the Final Four in Kaunas, you were lying at half-time the semi-final when the Olympiakos spent a 27-2 at the Roca Team to end the dreams of title …
It was a painful, but very important experience. I think she made us stronger.
Since your arrival in Euroligue, you have always played the playoffs. You have also finished three times, in four seasons, in the top 4 of the regular season. What does that mean from Monaco?
I always say that one of the crucial elements of your work is regularity. We have shown that we could be constant. We have shown that we were able to be competitive at this level. I think the first year, people would have thought that it was a fairy tale. Now Monaco is seen differently. Once again the advantage of the field thanks to our place in the top 4 allows us to start the playoffs well. It’s good because this season has not been simple. Last summer, Mike James underwent surgery on the back. It is one of our key players and it is something that can make you lose confidence in yourself. We also changed our coach during the season, which is also very difficult. But we note that all our decisions were reasonable and that, so far, they bear fruit.
With these results, do you deserve a license in Euroligue?
-We have already done something very important. I think that if you ask a fan of Euroligue, in any country, he will tell you that Monaco is a licensed club, a shareholder club. And I think no one can imagine that we only dispute our fourth season. I think we deserve, but at the same time, I know what we have to do on our side. The main task is to work on our new room. This is the only missing piece.
Where are you just this new room project?
We are talking about a medium -term license of three years with the Euroligue. So, if so far we participate through the Wildcard, which has been granted according to our sporting results, now we are targeting a license. In addition, the regulations for non -licensed and licensed clubs are different. If you are a licensed club, you must have a 10,000 -seat room. These are the realities, and that is why we strive to comply with standards.
But when, where, how? Here in Monaco, perhaps elsewhere in France, near Monaco?
We explore several places on both sides, say. And I think that very soon we can present more concrete information.
Have you been contacted by the NBA Europe project? Does this interest you?
It’s very simple, my work is to make sure that the Monegasque project arouses the interest of all the leagues and all stakeholders. But again, we have to come back to the previous subject. If we want to be an interesting destination for them, we must have a brand new site to host the competition.
Do you think this NBA Europe project will succeed?
I don’t like to answer questions “if” or “what could happen”. Let’s wait to see. Again, we want to be attractive to everyone. At the same time, today, we focus on Euroligue.
Should we expect movement in the workforce this summer? The group was built for Sasa Obradovic, the predecessor of Vassilis Spanoulis on the bench …
First of all, we must secure the nucleus of the team (like Alpha Diallo which has just extended until 2027, editor’s note). This is the first objective. I don’t think we will significantly change the group, but there will certainly be adjustments. But the situation looks difficult. I expect a very complicated market this summer, especially if the Euroligue goes to twenty teams. We will then potentially have some new clubs with important financial capacities. As for players’ marketing, it is increasingly reduced. There will therefore be a deficit and the prices will certainly be high. We will therefore have to see what can be done with our financial resources.
You recently said: “We have a more mature version of Mike James this season.” What does that mean?
Take the example of match 2 against Barcelona. He scored little, let’s say he was below his average (5 points, against 15.6 on average this season). On the other hand, he made great efforts in defense and offensively he played like a playmaker who passes first. He created for the team and his teammates, it was very important. This is what you mentioned earlier with these 21 and 28 collective assists. Mike has set the tone.
The German interior Daniel Theis, world champion in 2023, joined the club in February and quickly joined. He was committed until 2026, is an extension already under study?
First of all, Daniel has a “NBA Out” option in his contract (he can break his contract if an NBA franchise offers him a deal, editor’s note). We absolutely want Theis to stay with us. I really think he feels good here. I hope we will find the right time to sit down and talk about our common future. It perfectly corresponds to the style and the vision of Vassilis Spanoulis. I think he was the missing play to this team and at the same time, this team suits him perfectly. He finds the role he was looking for. I think he decided to return to Europe because he wanted to be an important player. And that’s what’s going on now with him in the Monaco jersey.
How do you imagine ASM Basket in ten years? What do you think of the future in priority? What are your projects?
In my best dream, I imagine myself sitting in a brand new room. I don’t want to use the word “arena”. It should be a room, a versatile place. We will play basketball there twenty to thirty times a year. It should be a place that constantly generates profits. Concerts, exhibitions, anything that can attract more and more people and which will be used to finance the club.
