SLUC NANCY

ROSTER

4 POURCHOT, VINCENT C 2.22 5 AKINGBALA, AKIN C 2.09 6 GRANT, KENNETH G 1.88 7 BADIANE, MOUSSA C 2.08 8 SHULER, JAMAL G 1.91 9 SYLLA, ABDEL F 2.04 10 LINEHAN, JOHN G 1.78 13 SAMNICK, VICTOR F 2.03 17 AMAGOU, PAPE-P. G 1.85 18 MOERMAN, ADRIEN F 2.01 55 BATUM, NICOLAS F 2.01 Head Coach:MONSCHAU, JEAN-LUC

Historic Results 2009-10: 3-3, Eurocup RS 2008-09: 2-8, Euroleague RS

2010-11 Results French League: Champion French Cup: Quarterfinalist

French champion SLUC Nancy returns to Europe’s premier basketball competition after a two-year absence with a roster chocked full of local talent and hungry for success. Longtime head coach Jean-Luc Monschau has the faith of his players and confidence in his youngsters that could prove quite meaningful when the games begin. The squad features seven players back from last season, including leading rebounder Akin Akingbala and top assist man John Linehan. Additionally the team has come through with a handful of key signings including experienced combo-guard Pape-Philippe Amagou and do-it-all small forward Nicolas Batum, who comes off a strong showing at EuroBasket 2011, where he helped France to a silver medal. In all the squad features five players with past Euroleague game experience, who should help the new generation of talents – five players aged 21 or younger – adjust to a higher level.



The experienced Linehan is Nancy’s floor general. Now starting his fourth season with the club, Linehan is a pass-first playmaker whose first concern on offense is keeping his teammates involved and is also a noted ball hawk on defense. His backup and understudy is Kenny Grant, whose game is essentially modeled on Linehan’s and gives the team 40 minutes of consistent play from the point guard position. The lightening-quick Amagou adds another dimension to the Nancy backcourt. A scorer in a point guard’s body, Amagou can handle the ball and has excellent penetration moves that can lead to easy points for him or open shots for others. Jamal Shuler is a Euroleague newcomer, who fits perfectly into Nancy’s team concept. He has superb perimeter shooting and the ability and willingness to play defense, rebound and pass. Teenage guards Kevin Thalien and Kingsley Pinda were key pieces in leading Nancy to the French junior title last season and though they may not feature prominently this season, they will be gaining experience and can be counted on to contribute if needed. At small forward, Batum could develop into Nancy’s go-to guy. Equipped with all the physical skills to score in bunches and to shut down the opposition’s best wing players, a strong season from Batum could lift Nancy to new heights.

The duo of Adrien Moerman and Victor Samnick gives coach Monschau two different looks at the power forward position. Moerman, whose red-hot three-point shooting lifted Entente Orleanaise into the Euroleague two years ago, has the strength to play inside, but can stretch defenses with his extended range and put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop too. The athletic Samnick stays inside where he makes an impact on the boards. Behind then is Abdel Sylla, a third star of last season’s Nancy junior championship squad, who could become the first player from Seychelles to appear in a Euroleague game. Akingbala is an elite shot-blocker and Nancy’s final defense at the rim. His uncanny defensive instincts allow the rest of the Nancy defenders freedom to gamble knowing that the big man has their back. Moussa Badiane spells Akingbala with a similarly aggressive defensive stance and an efficient offensive touch. On the bench Monschau can gamble with young 2.22-meter pivot Vincent Pourchot too.

Ultimately SLUC Nancy has the tools for a memorable campaign, especially if its young talent can contribute. Should that be the case, Nancy would not only be looking at a Euroleague season to remember, but also the start of a long-term run that could keep it not only among the best clubs in Europe, but help it develop into a true European power.

VIDEOS John Linehan Jean-Luc Monschau Pape-Philippe Amagou