Monaco before the CNOSF sooner than expected?
August 15, 2026
A former French international targeted by AS Monaco
Betclic ELITE - Axel Toupane is in contact with AS Monaco, which is working on building its French-trained player (JFL) roster for the 2026-2027 season despite the uncertainty still surrounding its participation in Betclic ELITE. The Roca Team also has several French options, including Mathis Dossou-Yovo, Yakuba Ouattara, and Joël Ayayi.
Photo Credit : Guillaume Poumarede
AS Monaco is moving forward with its transfer business even though its future in Betclic ELITE is still not definitively settled. In this particular situation, the Roca Team notably needs to make sure it has a sufficient contingent of French-trained players (JFL). Having secured several targets in recent weeks, the Monaco club is also in contact with Axel Toupane (6’7″, 34 years old).
The former French international would provide an extra option in an area where Monaco already has several possibilities. The club has options on Mathis Dossou-Yovo, Yakuba Ouattara, and Joël Ayayi, while Juhann Begarin remains under contract despite his wishes to move elsewhere and contacts with several EuroLeague teams during the off-season.
Axel Toupane, a new JFL option for Monaco
In building its 2026-2027 roster, AS Monaco started by working on its French base. Axel Toupane is one of the players with whom talks are underway to fill out this JFL contingent.
His profile differs from that of the other players involved. At 34, the forward has extensive experience at the highest level, including a stint in the NBA, a championship title with Milwaukee, EuroLeague experience at Žalgiris Kaunas and then Olympiakos, and a bronze medal with the French national team at the 2019 World Cup.
The Roca Team also has options on Mathis Dossou-Yovo, Yakuba Ouattara, and Joël Ayayi. Juhann Begarin is also among the French players currently linked to the club. The former Paris player has nevertheless explored other possibilities over the summer and drawn interest from EuroLeague teams.
Axel Toupane getting closer to his roots: the French forward signs with Dakar and will play in the Basketball Africa League!
February 27, 2026
Axel Toupane fresh off a Basketball Africa League experience
Over the past few seasons, Axel Toupane has moved between many destinations. In 2024, the businessman experienced Mexico, Taiwan, and Lebanon. After joining FC Porto in the summer of 2025, his time in Portugal quickly lost momentum. Injured in October and then dropped from the Dragons’ roster, he had not played with Porto since a FIBA Europe Cup game on November 19. Over nine games played with the Portuguese club, including three in the FIBA Europe Cup, he averaged 10.3 points on 40% shooting, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Last February, he then joined ASC Ville de Dakar to take part in the Basketball Africa League. A choice that also brought him closer to his family roots, his father Jean-Aimé Toupane being originally from Senegal.
This Monaco lead could therefore mark his return to French basketball, two years after leaving the Metropolitans 92. Before that, he played in Paris and especially Strasbourg. His 3&D profile could bring experience to a squad that will be almost 100% renewed.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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