2008-09 Club Profile: Chorale Roanne
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 Fresh off an exciting season in the Euroleague, Chorale Roanne enters the Eurocup looking to solidify its hard-earned reputation as a rising French power. Roanne's arrival to Europe's top competition last season amounted to a resurrection.
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Chorale Roanne Roster 2008-09
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| Name |
Pos.
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Height
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| Chris Monroe |
G
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1.91
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| Taj Gray |
F
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2.06
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| Marcellus Sommerville |
F
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2.01
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| Etienne Brower |
F
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2.01
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| Mohamed Kone |
C
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2.11
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| Brice Nengsu |
G
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1.93
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| Aaron Harper |
G
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2.01
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| Pierric Poupet |
G
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1.92
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| Marc-Antoine Pellin |
G
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1.71
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| Namory Boundy |
C
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2.01
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| Samba Dia |
F
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2.01
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| Thomas Celerier |
F
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2.00
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| Moustapha Diop |
C
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2.04
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| David Haziza |
G
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1.95
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| Gregory Lance |
G
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1.92
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| Jean-Denys Choulet |
Head Coach
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The club's basketball section started in 1937 and Roanne won its first French League title in 1959. With the development of a homegrown European superstar, Alain Gilles, the team's next major highlight was reaching the 1960 Euroleague quarterfinals. Roanne dropped into the French second division in 1967, but returned to finish sixth in the first by1974, playing the Korac Cup the following year. Roanne kept floating between the first and second French divisions throughout the 1980s, and after the last slip, needed an entire decade before returning again to the French League in 2003. Things started changing dramatically in 2006, however, as Roanne took a big step forward by finishing ninth in the regular season. The 2006-07 season proved a magic one for Roanne, which followed scoring aces Marc Salyers and Dewarick Spencer to a Semaine Des As trophy and claimed its first French League title since 1959, almost half a century, downing Nancy in the final. Last year, Roanne made its first appearance in the Euroleague since 1960, and though it could not advance to the Top 16, it was not for lack of trying, as several very close losses spelled the difference. A returned to the French League final went Nancy's way this time, but by that time, Roanne had made its mark as a comeback force in French basketball. This off-season, Roanne reworked its roster, making eight new additions, although one of those, swingman Aaron Harper, returns from the French League title team two seasons ago. He'll be joined by scorers Dwayne Sommerville, Taj Gray, Chris Monroe and Samba Dia, as well as by rookies Brice Nengsu, Thomas Celerier and Etienne Brower. The keepers from 2007-08 are backcourt mates Marc-Antoine Pellin and Pierric Poupet, shot-blocking big man Mohamed Kone and forward Derrick Byars, who finished last season with Roanne. With success, consistency and an exciting style under coach Jean-Denys Choulet, Roanne can look forward to a bright future the 2008-09 Eurocup!
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Monday, September 15, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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