American center Kevarrius Hayes, AS Monaco Basket's first recruit

Enemies in June, friends in July.

Coming off a season without a goal, the Roca Team didn't wait long to get active in the transfer market. The Principality club announced on Monday the arrival of center Kevarrius Hayes, a recent French champion with Paris Basketball after a thrilling final against Monaco. The 28-year-old American (2.06 m) signed a contract for the next two seasons, tying him to ASM until June 2027.

"I know they're building to win the Euroleague, and I want to be part of that. I know the coach, players, and staff want nothing less. […] I want to use what I know to help this group reach the finals of the competitions they participate in again," Hayes said in the club's statement.

A season spent in Paris

The former Zalgiris Kaunas (2022-2024) and Bursaspor (2021-2022) player was a key element in his team's success this season, winning Paris' first French championship title, as well as the Coupe de France.

In the previous season, he averaged 7.1 points; 4.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in the Betclic Elite regular season (respectively 6.5; 4.6 and 0.5 in the Euroleague): "The season in Paris was a real accomplishment for me and the memories I created there will remain etched in my memory for the rest of my life. I look forward to bringing the same energy to my new teammates and all my contribution on the court," adds the man who will have only spent one season in the French capital.

What about the ASM domestic sector?

Hayes had already spent time in France during the 2020-2021 season, when the Live Oak, Florida, native wore the Asvel jersey. That year, he also won the league and French Cup double. His arrival in the center raises questions about the future of Donatas Motiejunas (under contract until 2026) and Georgios Papagiannis, who are rarely used by Vassilis Spanoulis, but also of Mam Jaiteh, whose contract also expires at the end of the season. Daniel Theis, meanwhile, is tied to ASM until 2026.