« Extremely enthusiastic », Frédéric Donnadieu strongly believes in Nanterre’s youth project as season starts in Chalon

Frédéric Donnadieu, Nanterre president, welcomes the new cycle started with Julien Mahé’s arrival as head coach. As the club begins its season this Tuesday evening at the Colisée against Élan Chalon, it’s betting on a project mixing veterans and young talents, with the return of local prospect Hugo Yimga-Moukouri (6’8″, 17 years old).

Coup d’envoi de la saison ! 🔥
Nos Nanterriens se déplacent sur le parquet du Colisée pour faire face à @ELANCHALON.

➡️ Découvrez l’article complet !https://t.co/RyYoIMXNkw

— Nanterre 92 (@Nanterre92) September 30, 2025

A new cycle for Nanterre 92

Nanterre opens its 2025-2026 Betclic ELITE season on Chalon-sur-Saône’s court. After a 2024-2025 year marked by a good Basketball Champions League (BCL) run but struggles in the domestic league, the club chose to turn the page with a new coach: Julien Mahé, who signed for three years after his successful stint at Saint-Quentin.

For Frédéric Donnadieu, there’s perfect alignment between management and staff: « All signs are positive in the sense that we’ve found a great match with Julien Mahé and also Karim Remil (the assistant coach). This is really the project we’ve been hoping for several years. […] We’ve always been known as a development club, in the 60s, 70s, 80s. Now, I think we’ve found our true place again »

Youth at the heart of the project

True to its DNA, Nanterre intends to develop young talents. Symbolizing this commitment, Hugo Yimga-Moukouri (17), U15 French champion with JSF, was convinced to return despite interest from many clubs. Orleans nearly signed him, thanks to Lamine Kebe, his former coach at Pole France. « We fought to get him. Among the 36 LNB clubs, about thirty were interested. It’s super exciting because he represents the club’s future », insists the president.

Around Yimga-Mkouri, who could start this Tuesday in Chalon-sur-Saône, other young players like American Zakai Zeigler (23), center Mitchell Saxen (24) and forward Mathis Dossou-Yovo will have important roles. « We’ve wanted Mathis for two or three years. I’ve known him since he was U15 at Fleury-les-Aubrais », recalls Frédéric Donnadieu. But Nanterre also relies on its veterans: Benjamin Sene, Jeremy Senglin and Paul Lacombe. « We have one of the youngest rosters in the league, but with the necessary experience for guidance », summarizes Donnadieu.

No announced objectives, but ambition to progress

Without European competition this season, Nanterre moves forward without excessive pressure. « There’s no official objective. If we announce playoffs, that means being in the top six, and there are too many good teams. The most important thing is to secure safety as quickly as possible », admits the president.

He emphasizes the club’s philosophy: « We won’t play it ultra-defensive. We want to progress, enjoy ourselves and watch this team evolve game after game ». Adding: « Every year we’ve had results, we never announced anything. It’s because something special happened within the team ».

Game Day ! 🚀

C’est parti pour le premier match de @Betclic_ELITE de la saison ! Rendez-vous ce soir à 20h sur @DAZN_FR pour suivre la rencontre face à l’@ELANCHALON. pic.twitter.com/34gbON600h

— Nanterre 92 (@Nanterre92) September 30, 2025

For the president, the key is seeing his team and young players progress week after week. The preseason, concluded with two home wins against Le Portel and Brussels, showed this upward trend. « Between the Vannes tournament, where we lost by 40 against Le Mans, and the end where games were almost too easy, I saw real progression. Training sessions are of great quality ».

A key event: facing AS Monaco at La Défense Arena

As in recent years, Nanterre will also focus on events. The season’s big date will be Sunday, February 15, 2026, hosting AS Monaco at Paris La Défense Arena. « It’s always a big challenge for a club like ours. But this time, the date is perfect, neither during school holidays nor a holiday weekend. It’s an important moment in the club’s life », rejoices Donnadieu.

The season thus appears as a building phase, without immediate results pressure but with the desire to reconnect with Nanterre’s development DNA. « We want to have a team that brings us joy, and that, I can confirm is the case », concludes the president.