Yoan Makoundou delivers another double-double performance, but Fujian falls short once again
CBA Action - French center Yoan Makoundou continues to showcase his impressive skills in the Chinese Basketball Association, recording his third double-double in nine games with 21 points and 12 rebounds, though his stellar individual performance wasn't enough to prevent Fujian Sturgeons from losing 102-94 to playoff contenders Liaoning Leopards.
Record efficiency rating in China for the former Monaco player Photo Credit: Miko Missana
The Chinese Basketball Association continues to witness the full extent of Yoan Makoundou‘s abilities. During the 32nd round played on Monday, March 30th, 2026, the 2.07m, 25-year-old French center delivered a high-level performance against the Liaoning Leopards. Unfortunately for the Fujian Sturgeons, the French player’s individual talent wasn’t enough to overcome one of the playoff candidates, ultimately falling 102-94.
Fujian started strong with a first quarter advantage of 25-23, then stayed competitive at halftime (49-55). However, Liaoning accelerated in the second half (21-24 then 26-21 over the final two quarters) and pulled away in the closing moments, despite Fujian‘s tenacious resistance.
Dominant paint presence establishes Makoundou as team leader
Individually, the French player was colossal in the paint, confirming his rapid adaptation to Asian basketball. His stat line was impressive: 21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 decisive blocks for defensive impact, 4 assists, and an efficiency rating of 28 – his personal record in China. This marked his third double-double in just nine games.
With this third double-double in only nine appearances under his new colors, Yoan Makoundou is establishing himself as the Sturgeons‘ interior anchor. His ability to impact both sides of the court – connecting on shots near the rim while protecting the basket with authority – represents a beacon of hope for his team.
While Fujian still struggles to convert these performances into consistent victories, the former Monaco player’s status within his new team is no longer in question: he has quickly found his rhythm in the CBA. To take the next step collectively, the Sturgeons (16th out of 20 teams) must now learn to better support their French tower of control to prevent these statistical showcases from going to waste.
The team faces their next challenge tomorrow against Shandong, a championship powerhouse ranked 4th in the standings, featuring former Portel player De Vaughn Akoon-Purcell among their roster.
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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