AS Monaco Basket excluded from professional leagues, applies for Nationale 1

AS Monaco Basket, the reigning French basketball champions and EuroLeague finalists in 2025, have been excluded from the Betclic Élite and other professional competitions due to financial problems. On September 1, 2026, the club announced it would apply for a place in Nationale 1, the third tier of French basketball, as part of a refoundation project. The club faced months of debt, failed investor deals, and appeals to the LNB, FFBB, and CNOSF. They were also excluded from the EuroCup and replaced by Bosna Sarajevo. The club hopes to rebuild and return to the top level, relying on young players from their academy. Only one first-team player, Juhann Begarin, remains under contract, but he is expected to leave. The club's budget is projected at 4-5 million euros.