BetClic ELITE Finals: Monaco Wins First-Ever French Championship Title in Dramatic Game 5 Thriller
AS Monaco claimed its first-ever Betclic Élite title Photo Credit: AS Monaco Basket
It was a night Monaco basketball fans will never forget. After winning the EuroCup in 2021 and reaching the EuroLeague Final in 2025, AS Monaco finally completed its domestic dream, capturing its first-ever Betclic Élite championship with a 101-92 victory over Paris Basketball in a Game 5 that had everything — controversy, drama, and a breathtaking finish.
A Final Surrounded by Chaos Before Tip-Off
The buildup to Game 5 was anything but calm. Matthew Strazel, one of Monaco’s key players, was suspended by the French Basketball Federation’s Appeals Chamber, sending shockwaves through the team. Several Monaco players threatened to boycott the game in solidarity. In the end, it was Mike James who stepped in — returning after nearly two months of absence due to a dispute over unpaid salaries, coming back specifically for this decisive clash. The stage was set for something extraordinary.
Guess who's back 👀#RocaTeam #FinalesBetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/Tv9Q7gvFUi
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) June 23, 2026
Blossomgame and Okobo Lead the Way
On the court, Jaron Blossomgame delivered when it mattered most. The forward, who is set to leave Monaco this summer to join Dubai Basketball, saved his finest performance for last, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 27 points in 35 minutes. It was a fitting farewell statement on the biggest stage.
Orchestrating everything behind him was Elie Okobo, who put together one of the great Finals performances in recent French basketball memory: 12 points and a remarkable 15 assists in 35 minutes. His ability to control tempo and find teammates in rhythm was the engine that powered Monaco’s offense throughout the night.
Juhann Begarin was equally decisive, particularly in the closing stretch. The young wing finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds in just 21 minutes, delivering a huge impact down the stretch when Monaco needed it most. Yoan Makoundou added 14 points off the bench, while Alpha Diallo contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds.
✈️✈️ @BegarinJuhann https://t.co/t1lttMEANU
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) June 23, 2026
A Devastating Fourth-Quarter Run Seals the Title
Paris Basketball fought hard, with Justin Robinson (12 points, 5 assists), Nadir Hifi (11 points), and Lamar Stevens (11 points, 4 assists) keeping the Parisians in contention. But the fourth quarter belonged entirely to Monaco. The Monégasques opened the final period with a devastating 12-0 run that turned an eight-point deficit into an 85-81 lead, completely shifting the momentum of the game. From there, Monaco never looked back, extending their advantage to seal the championship.
When the final buzzer sounded, Monaco had done it. After years of European ambition and near-misses on the domestic front, the Principality club stands alone atop French basketball for the first time in its history. For Blossomgame, it is the perfect send-off. For Monaco, it is only the beginning.
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