INTERVIEW S. TCHICAMBOUD INTERVIEW G. BEUGNOT

ROSTER

00 TCHICAMBOUD, STEED G 1.93 6 GAILLARD, VINCENT F 2.00 7 ADJAGBA, ULYSSE G 1.85 9 LANG, NICOLAS G 2.00 11 ABOUDOU, JORDAN F 2.00 12 DENMON, MARCUS G 1.91 14 JEAN BAPTISTE ADOLPHE, M. C 2.05 15 LAUVERGNE, JOFFREY C 2.11 16 SCHILB, BLAKE F 2.01 23 WILLIAMS, SHELDEN C 2.06 32 EVTIMOV, ILIAN F 2.01 Head Coach: BEUGNOT, GREGOR

2011-12 Results Eurochallenge: Finalist French League: Champion Semanine des As: Champion French Cup trophy: Champion HISTORIC RESULTS 2007-08: 6-6, Last 32, ULEB Cup 2004-05: 5-5, RS, ULEB Cup 2002-03: 4-6, RS, ULEB Cup

WHAT'S NEW
Elan Chalon-sur-Saone's roster is built on the core of the squad that captured the French triple crown last season, but with the excitement of playing its first Turkish Airlines Euroleague season, the club made a pair of marquee additions in big man Shelden Williams and sharpshooter Marcus Denmon. Though both are newcomers to Europe, their respective skills on both ends of the floor should mesh well with Coach Beugnot’s returning charges.


THE BACKCOURT
Point guard Steed Tchicamboud runs the show for Chalon and he will be paired in the backcourt with Denmon, whose great range, quick release and sneaky defense will make them an even more dangerous transition team. Swingman Nicolas Lang will try to continue playing with the great confidence he showed in the latter stages of last season, while promising teenage playmaker Ulysse Adjagba is expected to see limited action.

THE FRONTCOURT
Williams figures to be the central piece of this unit. With great strength and a warrior’s mentality, he promises to be a dominant figure in the paint. Forward Ilian Evtimov is the team’s most dangerous shooter and works well with small forward Blake Schlib - the team’s established go-to-guy. Schlib is an all-round player who knows how to use his size, speed and all-around skills to his and his team’s advantage. Young center Joffrey Lauvergne looks poised for a breakout season, while Michel Jean Baptiste Adolphe, the club’s elder statesman, provides cover. Youngster Jordan Aboudou could also play his way into the rotation.

OUTLOOK
Chalon may be inexperienced, but the team is determined not to be overwhelmed. Everyone on the roster has won titles in their careers, something Coach Beugnot will use to his advantage. Moreover, with only three players on the roster shorter than two meters, Chalon will use its size, speed and athleticism to make its Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut a memorable one.