By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Yoan Makoundou is no longer with AS Monaco, head coach Vassilis Spanoulis has confirmed. Following a victory against Nanterre 92 at the Paris La Defense Arena on Sunday, 43-year-old Spanoulis clarified that the 25-year-old forward/center requested the departure, marking a split between the player and the club until further notice.
Makoundou’s exit adds to a mounting list of roster challenges for La Roca Team. After developing through the Cholet youth system, Makoundou signed a four-year contract with Monaco in 2022 and completed loan assignments with Buducnost VOLI and Turk Telekom before returning last offseason. This year, he averaged 8.4 points domestically and 6.2 points in five EuroLeague appearances before his departure, which appears linked to the club’s ongoing financial instability.
The roster was further thinned on Sunday as Kevarrius Hayes remained sidelined with an injury and superstar Mike James did not suit up. The 35-year-old combo guard’s absence followed a recent social media outburst regarding salary delays.
Despite these well-documented financial struggles, which include a transfer ban across both the EuroLeague and France, as well as a domestic one-win deduction, Monaco continues to dominate on the court. The win over Nanterre improves their league-leading record to 17-2, placing them 2.5 games ahead of Paris and Nanterre in the 2025-26 Betclic Elite Regular Season standings.
Coupled with Friday’s EuroLeague victory over Baskonia at Salle Gaston Medecin, which moved them to 16-12 in the continental campaign, they have now secured three consecutive wins. While the team remains a powerhouse, the off-court situation is a critical concern.