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Jean-Luc Monschau, Head Coach
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Coach, tell us about your team's roster for the next Euroleague season, what changes you made and what improvements you expect to gain from those decisions?
"First of all, I must say we are happy to keep a majority of players that helped us to win the French League title last season and made it to this year's Euroleague. As many as six players are back from last season, including the Greer brothers, Ricardo and Jeff. We also kept centers Cyril Julian and Zaki Aboubacar, forward Victor Samnick and guard T.J. Parker. I think we did a good job in the off-season to round a competitive roster, landing center Rod Benson, forward Lamayn Wilson, experienced swingman Michel Morandais and guards Steed Tchicamboud and John Cox. We hope to improve a lot and do even better in the upcoming 2008-09 season, with so many challenges ahead of us."
How much can you learn from the preseason about your team? What signs do you look for now that will help when the Euroleague starts?
"It has not been easy for us. We faced some troubles throughout the preseason due to our many injuries, that did not allow us to work with the entire team together. Even with that, my players showed character and goos spirit facing those problems and the signs are good. The French League starts this weekend and we are ready to start competing."
Now that all the other teams have mostly completed their rosters, how does the competition in the Euroleague this season look like to you?
"I would say that our regular season group is great and difficult. It is great for our fans, who have given us great support throughout the years and now they will see Nancy playing its first Euroleague season. Of course, we will face teams like Panathinaikos, Regal FC Barcelona, Montepaschi Siena, Zalgiris and Asseco Prokom - that means that teams will be far from, being easy on court!"
What are your goals going into the new Euroleague season?
"I think we have to be ambitious and try to do our best. There is no other way from us but being ambitious, just as we did in the French League throughout the years: go out there and do our best!"
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 Sluc Nancy has been the most consistent team in the French League over the past four years and now the French champion is set to make its Euroleague debut this season. Nancy seems more than ready to battle its way through Europe's top club competition as it has managed to keep a nice core of players from its recent successes, including the Greer brothers, Jeff and Ricardo, center Cyril Julian, versatile forward Victor Samnick and promising big man Aboubacar Zaki. Nancy has also moved well in the off-season market to sign point guard Steed Tchicamboud, the high-scoring John Cox, athletic swingman Michel Morandais, rebounding machine Rod Benson and power forward Lamayn Wilson. As usual, Nancy will run its offense through Ricardo Greer, its franchise player due to his versatility and know-how. Despite facing a very strong regular season group featuring Montepaschi Siena, Regal FCB, Panathinaikos and Zalgiris, Nancy is on a mission to shock the world and reach the Top 16.
| Name |
Pos.
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Height
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| Steed Tchicamboud |
G
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1.93
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| John Cox |
G
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1.96
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| Lamayn Wilson |
F
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2.03
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| Michael Morandais |
F
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1.98
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| Amadou Aboubakar |
C
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2.14
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| Jeff Greer |
F
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1.95
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| Ricardo Greer |
F
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1.96
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| T.J. Parker |
G
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1.87
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| Victor Samnick |
F
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2.03
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| Cyril Julian |
C
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2.06
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| Rob Benson |
C
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2.08
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| Head Coach: Jean-Luc Monschau |
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Tchicamboud comes off a extraordinary season with Cholet Basket, in which he showcased his passing and driving skills. He is a top candidate to be the starting playmaker this season, with youngster Saidou Njoya helping off the bench. Ricardo Greer, however, will play many minutes at point forward due to his versatility and all-around skills. His court vision, experience and game knowledge turn Ricardo Greer into one of the hardest players to guard in the entire Euroleague, as he can play anywhere from playmaker to power forward. His brother Jeff is a slasher with great defensive intensity, as well as a good athlete with unlimited shooting range. Cox is a natural-born scorer who has already proved his value at STB Le Havre over each of the last two seasons. His quickness and driving skills should blend well with the Greer brothers' run-and-gun style. Morandais will provide experience and athleticism at both wing spots.
Wilson has been a steal in the off-season market, a physical power forward with unlimited range. He can either take it to the basket, shoot from outside or dunk on anyone due to his physical and one-on-one skills.  Wilson had 40 points with Asvel in a French League game last season, which says enough about his scoring abilities. Samnick comes off a breakout season in which he confirmed his rebounding skills and physical game. He will carry on providing energy and intensity at both ends. Experienced and solid, Julian enters his 10th season with Nancy. He remains a reference in the low post due to his power and footwork. Just as in recent years, Julian will be a key piece for Nancy around the baskets. Benson was the top rebounder in the NBDL last season and is ready to face the biggest challenge of his career in his first year in European basketball. At age 20, Aboubacar Zaki is a great shot blocker ready to provide intensity and power off the bench.
Head coach Jean-Luc Monschau enters his fifth season with Nancy, also facing his biggest challenge ever. Nancy has put together a nice roster with athleticism, good scorers and experience. If Wilson and Benson can play together, joining forces with Julian in the paint, Nancy will be very dangerous despite its tough regular season group and a ticket to the Top 16 surely is not out of the question.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Euroleague.net
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