Asvel is definitely not entering the upcoming EuroLeague season with the highest ambitions, and based on the roster, it seems that making the playoffs is beyond the reach.
The club from Villeurbanne has held the status of a “lower-tier” team in the EuroLeague for several years, as their best (modern) historical result in the elite competition was 14th place. However harsh it may sound, it appears that the French representative season after season builds a team that is closer in quality to the EuroCup than to the elite itself.
Lost EuroLeague traveler
Asvel played their weakest basketball last season since T.J. Parker became the head coach. They were not competitive from the middle of the competitive year and had a significant losing streak at the beginning of 2023. Tony Parker even contemplated retiring at one point, but ultimately remained at the helm of the suburban Lyon club. During the summer, many players were changed, however, it will be difficult for them to make significant progress in the standings. Monaco is dominant in domestic competitions, and in the EuroLeague, it’s realistic for them to compete with Alba Berlin for the 17th place.
It’s positive that Joffrey Lauvergne is returning after a serious injury, and Nando De Colo is still there in the final years of his career. David Lighty, Charles Kahudi and Youssoupha Fall have retained their spots on the roster, while they’ve “recruited” Frank Jackson, Paris Lee, Mike Scott, Edwin Jackson, John Egbunu and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The impression is that they would have significant difficulties reaching the very end in the EuroCup with this roster, let alone playing a significant role in the EuroLeague at this moment.
EuroLeague Preview – Asvel: Roster for the upcoming season
Paris Lee /184cm/ – USA
Noam Yaacov /186cm/ – ISR
Edwin Jackson /191cm/ – FRA
Boris Dallo /193cm/ – FRA
Frank Jackson /194cm/ – USA
David Lighty /195cm/ – USA
Nando De Colo /196cm/ – FRA
Charles Kahudi /196cm/ – FRA
Mike Scott /203cm/ – USA
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot /203cm/ – FRA
Mbaye Ndiaye /203cm/ – SEN
John Egbunu /211cm/ – USA
Joffrey Lauvergne /211cm/ – FRA
Youssoupha Fall /221cm/ – FRA
Departures: Antoine Diot, Jonah Matthews, Retin Obasohan, Yves Pons, Amine Noua, Dee Bost, Alex Tyus
Arrivals: Edwin Jackson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Mike Scott, Paris Lee, Frank Jackson, John Egbunu, Boris Dallo, Mbaye Ndiaye
EuroLeague Preview – Asvel: Greatest Success in the competition
Asvel is undoubtedly considered the most successful club in France, confirmed by 21 national championship titles and 10 French Cups. When it comes to European achievements, we have to go back to the distant past when the club from Villeurbanne dominated the Old Continent.
Their first significant success in the FIBA European Cup (today’s EuroLeague) came in the 1975/1976 season when they reached the semifinals of the competition. They suffered a defeat in a two-legged tie against Real Madrid, who was later beaten by Varese in the title match. Two seasons later, the tournament format changed significantly, and the French giant finished in third place.
During the next decade, Asvel mostly competed in the FIBA Saporta Cup, where they reached the semifinals twice (in 1985 and 1987) and one final, where they were defeated by Pesaro (in 1983).
Their return to the biggest European stage was indicated by their entry into the Radivoj Korac Cup final (European), where Asvel lost to Anadolu Efes (1995/1996), but they also formed a generation with the potential to reach the top of Europe. Just a year later, the French giant reached the EuroLeague Final Four. Unfortunately for them, they lost the semifinal match to Barcelona by 77:70, and they were defeated by Olimpija from Ljubljana in the battle for third place. This marked the last time Asvel participated in the Final Four of the elite competition.
Few words about the head coach – T.J. Parker
T.J. Parker is certainly not considered among the “cream” of European coaches, quite the opposite… But he simply operates in a system where he is given unwavering trust. The fact that his own brother, Tony Parker, is at the helm of the club speaks volumes about the position the French coach has held for years.
After, at the very least, an (below) average playing career, T.J. Parker decided to exchange jerseys and sneakers for coaching attire and shoes starting in 2013. He spent the first five seasons as an assistant at Asvel until he was offered the opportunity to become the head coach in 2018. During Zvezdan Mitrovic’s tenure, he once again served as an assistant, but since 2020, he has solidified his position as the head of the coaching staff.
As the head coach of the Villeurbanne club, he has won the national championship twice and one Cup.
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EuroLeague Preview – Asvel: Expectations
Informed by years of experience, it’s clear that Asvel will not harbor playoff ambitions in the upcoming season. The team from France is far closer in quality to the EuroCup, and therefore it’s evident that only a miracle could lead them to the playoff zone.
It can be freely said that in the upcoming basketball season, Asvel will be far from the idea of disrupting Monaco’s plans in the national championship. It seems that the gap in quality between the “Princes” and T.J. Parker’s team has never been greater, which foreshadows another unsuccessful season for the Villeurbanne club from the outset.