The Roca Team claimed the 2026 Leaders Cup crown in emphatic fashion, defeating Le Mans Sarthe Basket in a one-sided final at the Futuroscope on Sunday, February 22 to secure their first trophy of the season and avenge last year’s defeat in the same matchup. The Roca Team combined defensive intensity, offensive precision and collective discipline throughout the contest, delivering a performance that left little doubt about the outcome.
Monaco reached the final after edging Strasbourg by a single point in the quarterfinals and then overwhelming Cholet in the semifinals, while Le Mans booked its place by eliminating ASVEL and Bourg-en-Bresse. Despite the continued absence of Kevarrius Hayes, Monaco were boosted by the return of Alpha Diallo, who provided strong minutes after his standout semifinal showing.
The final began at a rapid tempo, with Mike James immediately setting the tone. The Monaco guard scored nine points in the opening minutes and orchestrated the offense with authority, linking effectively with Daniel Theis inside and Jaron Blossomgame in transition. By the end of the first quarter, Monaco had already built a substantial lead, extended further by the dynamic scoring of Elie Okobo.
Le Mans attempted to respond in the second period through perimeter shooting, briefly trimming the deficit, but Monaco’s interior dominance and balanced scoring restored control. Theis imposed himself physically in the paint, while contributions across the lineup ensured the gap remained comfortably in double digits heading into halftime.
After the break, Blossomgame struck from long range to stretch the advantage toward twenty points, effectively putting the contest out of reach. Monaco maintained their intensity on both ends, limiting Le Mans’ opportunities while continuing to score efficiently through disciplined ball movement and strong rebounding.
The final quarter confirmed Monaco’s superiority. Okobo electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk and creative playmaking, and Nikola Mirotic added late baskets to seal the victory. Frustration showed for Le Mans in the closing stages as technical fouls punctuated a finish that had long since been decided.
After the game, guard Matthew Strazel said the team’s seriousness throughout the tournament had been rewarded and predicted the title would provide momentum for the remainder of the season. Center Daniel Theis highlighted the defensive effort as the decisive factor, noting that strong stops allowed Monaco to play with freedom in attack against a notoriously resilient opponent.
The triumph marks a statement moment for Monaco, who not only capture the mid-season trophy but also signal their ambitions for further success in both domestic competition and Europe in the months ahead.