The Monaco Basket Association (MBA) looked towards their highly anticipated 2026-2027 season during a press conference on 10 September. The conference discussed major changes to the club’s lineup, as well as its partnership with the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) which has been confirmed for next season. The conference also highlighted the Club’s main goal: to ascend to Ligue Féminine 1 within two seasons.
New Players, New Captain, New Coach
Four new players recruited from the league’s top clubs will be joining Monaco: Lelia Lesueur, Emily Prugnières, Stepha M’Baye, and Carolina Rodrigues. With their diverse backgrounds and talents, they join a squad that already relies on six key MBA players: Maud Sterviniou, Julie Tetart, Ilona Hattab, Anouk Brun, Philippine Delpech, and Sarah-Yvanna Keboum.
Maud Sterviniou takes over as Captain this season, succeeding Lysa Millavet. To lead this new team to the highest level, the club has brought in Emmanuel Body, a highly respected coach in the league, who joined the MBA this summer. He will also be joined by two assistant coaches: Bertrand Delage, and Ali Traoré (who earned 117 caps for the French national team during his career). Strength and conditioning coach Thibaud Pinson, who has been with the club for previous seasons, will be rejoining the team.
“After a year of learning the ropes in LF2 last season, and with the excellent new squad we’ve assembled—building on the experience gained last year—we aren’t ruling out the possibility of dreaming big this season,” said Stephane Valeri, Chairman of the SBM.
New Staff positions
A newly formed recruitment unit, led by Éric Elena (MBA President) and Stéphane Valeri, created two new positions for the team. Former captain Lysa Millavet has now become the team’s General Manager, and Elise Cammas has taken on the role of Sports Director.
“We are approaching this season with determination, high standards, and confidence, driven by a desire to keep growing and to build the Monaco Basket Association of the future. Today, we want to confirm our progress and firmly establish the Monaco Basket Association as a key player in French women’s basketball,” said Eric Elena, president of the Monaco Basket Association.
Elite U18 Team Launched
The MBA also launched an Elite U18 team this year. This initiative meets a requirement of the Ligue Féminine 1, and the club was eager to implement quickly. The goal is to provide the first team with a reserve squad, and develop the elite players of tomorrow.
SBM Partnership
Last year, the SBM strengthened its partnership with the Monaco Basket Association with a bold ambition: to see the first team reach the highest level of the French championship, Ligue Féminine 1, within three seasons. Following a successful first season in LF2—which served as an initial milestone—the MBA underwent restructuring and strengthened its squad, while the SBM reaffirmed its commitment, drawing other Monegasque corporate partners along in the process.
See you at the games: 13 French league matches will be played at home this season, at the Gymnase de l’Annonciade or the Salle Gaston Médecin.
