Axel Toupane Joins Saint-Quentin, Spurning Monaco

Saint-Quentin is nearing the completion of its roster as the season opener approaches, announcing the signing of Axel Toupane. This marks Toupane's return to Betclic Élite after a two-year absence.

Initially, Toupane was reportedly considered for NM1 with AS Monaco, which was expected to play in that division next season. However, the French Basketball Federation's (FFBB) refusal to accept Monaco's entry likely altered the player's plans. At 34, Toupane will now pursue a new opportunity with SQBB, possibly avoiding potential complications with Monaco.

An NBA Champion Lands in Saint-Quentin

With Toupane's signature, Saint-Quentin adds a player with an impressive resume in Betclic Élite. Toupane, who trained with Strasbourg, is the son of France women's national team coach Jean-Aimé Toupane. He developed his skills at SIG before moving to the NBA in the summer of 2015.

His NBA journey involved stints in the G-League and limited playing time with various teams, followed by seasons with Zalgiris Kaunas and Olympiacos, which eventually led to his return to the NBA.

Playing a minor role with the Milwaukee Bucks, Toupane was part of the team that won the NBA title in 2021, supporting Giannis Antetokounmpo. He became the sixth French player to win an NBA championship, preceding Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City, 2025) and recent champions Mohamed Diawara and Pacôme Dadiet (New York Knicks, June).

Ironically, this championship ring signaled the end of his NBA career. Upon returning to France, Toupane played for Paris Basketball and then Levallois, where he played alongside Victor Wembanyama. Over the past two seasons, he has been highly mobile, playing for five clubs in Mexico, Lebanon, Taiwan, Porto, and Dakar. He now joins Raphaël Pascual's squad looking to reignite his career.