Elie Okobo left Monaco as a champion, but behind the celebrations was a season filled with uncertainty, frustration and difficult decisions.
The French guard, who is now preparing for a new chapter with Dubai, opened up about the problems that surrounded Monaco throughout the season, including delayed payments, discussions about a possible players’ strike and the dramatic circumstances that led to Mike James returning for Game 5 of the LNB Pro A Finals.
Speaking during an appearance on First Team, Okobo explained how Monaco managed to overcome internal problems and finish the season by winning the LNB Pro A championship despite facing several challenges behind the scenes.
The 28-year-old guard also discussed his decision to miss the final three regular-season games, his disappointment after missing the Paris 2024 Olympics and his ambitions with Dubai in the EuroLeague.
“It started in December”: Okobo reveals Monaco’s financial problems
Monaco entered the season with huge ambitions after reaching the EuroLeague Final Four the previous year, but problems away from the court gradually started affecting the team.
According to Okobo, the first issues appeared in December, when players began experiencing delays in their payments.
“It started in December. Payments began arriving a little later than usual. We were reassured that they would come, but it took far too long.”
At first, the team was able to remain focused because results were still positive. However, the situation became more difficult once Monaco started struggling on the court.
“As long as we were winning, everything was going well, even though we were talking about it. The moment we lost a game, and it wasn’t a good one either, everything went crazy.”
For Okobo, the biggest warning sign was the fact that conversations inside the locker room were no longer only about basketball.
“When you arrive in the locker room and you’re not really talking about basketball anymore, but more about when the money is going to arrive, you understand that something is not normal.”
Monaco players considered strike action
The situation continued for several months and eventually pushed the players toward considering a collective response.
Okobo explained that the team seriously discussed the possibility of going on strike because promises had repeatedly not been fulfilled.
“The solution for us was to go on strike. We didn’t know what to do anymore. Do we practice? Do we not practice? Do we go to the game? Something had to be done because nothing was happening.”
The situation became particularly tense before Monaco’s game against Nanterre at Paris La Defense Arena, an event that attracted around 17,000 spectators.
The players ultimately decided to continue competing while waiting for the club to resolve the situation.
Okobo also believes the financial problems affected the sporting environment, including the departure of former head coach Vassilis Spanoulis.
According to the French guard, Spanoulis was dealing with similar frustrations and found himself in a difficult position because of both results and internal problems.
🎙️ «Le matin du 1er match de Playoffs, j'ai reçu un virement. Sinon, je n'aurais pas joué !»
— First Team (@FirstTeam101) July 19, 2026
Élie Okobo sur les problèmes de Monaco cette saison, dans son Entretien disponible sur notre chaîne YouTube 📺️ pic.twitter.com/Rd25SMEkhM
Okobo refused to play the final three regular-season games
The situation eventually reached a breaking point for Okobo personally.
With more than €400,000 still owed to him, the guard decided not to participate in Monaco’s final three games of the regular season.
However, he continued training with his teammates and maintained his preparation.
“I love going on the court, I love practicing, and I didn’t like not being on the court at the end of the season. I was watching the team, but it was no longer possible. At some point, you have to send a message.”
Okobo admitted that the decision was difficult because his priority has always been competing and helping the team.
At the same time, he believed that taking a stand was necessary.
His teammates understood his position, and his availability for the first playoff game against Bourg remained uncertain until the final hours.
The French guard explained that he stayed ready in case an agreement was reached.
“I was preparing myself just in case. My goal was to play. I got confirmation on the morning of the game.”
Despite all the uncertainty, Monaco entered the playoffs with a reduced roster and managed to overcome the problems surrounding the team.
Mike James returned for Game 5 in unbelievable circumstances
One of the most memorable moments of Monaco’s championship run came before Game 5 of the LNB Pro A Finals against Paris.
The Roca Team entered the decisive game already dealing with a difficult situation. Monaco expected to have Matthew Strazel available, but his suspension created another unexpected problem for the team.
Mike James, who had been away from the group for several weeks, was initially not expected to play. According to Okobo, the American guard was only planning to travel to Paris to support his teammates before returning home.
However, Strazel’s suspension completely changed the situation.
James suddenly became an option, despite having no preparation for the game and not even having his equipment ready.
“We knew he was taking the plane, but nobody had brought his jersey. I think he went to buy shoes. It was crazy.”
Okobo explained that even the players did not know whether James would actually step onto the court.
“Someone told me: ‘Maybe he will come, maybe he won’t.’ I did my individual workout, I came back and he was on the table getting stretched. I said to him: ‘What are you doing here?’”
Despite the unusual circumstances, James decided to play and wore Matthew Strazel’s number during the game.
According to Okobo, the veteran guard did not try to take over the offense but instead used his experience to help a depleted Monaco team.
“Without him, I don’t think we win.”
James finished the decisive game with 15 points and 15 assists, helping Monaco secure another French championship in one of the most unexpected ways possible.
Okobo also highlighted the contribution of Sergii Gladyr and Manuchar Markoishvili, who stepped into bigger coaching responsibilities after Spanoulis’ departure and helped keep the team together during the playoffs.
🎙️ « Mike James est arrivé à la salle juste avant le match après avoir acheté des chaussures en magasin, puis il est rentré directement après le match !»
— First Team (@FirstTeam101) July 20, 2026
Les anecdotes d'Élie Okobo sur sa saison avec Monaco, disponibles dans son entretien sur YouTube 📺️ pic.twitter.com/VuuepBVRts
Okobo opens up about painful Olympic omission
During the interview, Okobo also spoke about one of the biggest disappointments of his career: missing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
After a strong season with Monaco, the French guard believed he had a realistic chance of making Vincent Collet’s roster, especially with the Olympics being held in France.
Instead, he was left out of the squad.
“I took it so badly. It was extremely frustrating. We had known for six or seven years that the Olympics would be in Paris. When I was young, I calculated my age and told myself that at 26 years old, I would be very strong.”
Although he was not part of the team, Okobo still attended the Olympic semifinals and final to support the French national team.
Now, his focus has shifted toward future opportunities, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Since the arrival of new France head coach Frederic Fauthoux, Okobo has received more trust and responsibility within the national team setup.
However, he insists that his place is never guaranteed.
“He trusts me and after that, it’s up to me to perform. There is no favoritism. You have to work, show that you want it and be effective within a group.”
Elie Okobo wants to win the EuroLeague with Dubai
After four seasons with Monaco, Okobo is ready for the next chapter of his career with Dubai.
The French international believes there are similarities between Dubai’s project and Monaco’s early years in the EuroLeague, when the club was building toward becoming a serious European contender.
Dubai made its debut in European competition last season and has ambitions of quickly becoming a team capable of competing for playoff spots and eventually reaching the Final Four.
Despite dealing with injuries during its first EuroLeague campaign, Okobo believes the project has enormous potential.
“The next chapter of my career, I am excited to start it. I continue to improve every year, I see it and I feel it.”
The former 31st pick of the 2018 NBA Draft arrives in Dubai after an impressive season in which he won the French championship and earned individual recognition as LNB Pro A MVP of the regular season and Leaders Cup.
After already reaching two EuroLeague Final Fours with Monaco, including one EuroLeague Final appearance, Okobo is not joining Dubai simply to be part of a rebuilding project.
His ambition is much higher.
The French guard wants to help Dubai compete with Europe’s elite teams – and ultimately achieve the goal that has escaped him so far: winning the EuroLeague.
