AS Monaco is finalizing an agreement with EuroCup scoring leader Daron ‘Fatts’ Russell, per BasketNews sources. Russell led EuroCup in scoring last season, averaging 19.8 points per game for Cluj-Napoca.
AS Monaco is set to make the first major addition of its new era. According to BasketNews sources, the Monagasque club is finalizing an agreement with 28-year-old point guard Daron ‘Fatts’ Russell.
Position
PG
Age
28
Height
180 cm
Weight
75 kg
Birth place
Philadelphia, United States of America
Daron Russell has been attracting EuroLeague interest after a standout campaign with U-BT Cluj-Napoca.
Russell is coming off a spectacular season in the EuroCup, where he led the competition in scoring with 19.8 points per game.
Despite carrying one of the highest offensive workloads in the tournament and drawing comparisons to T.J. Shorts because of his dynamic scoring and playmaking, Russell also ranked among the top four players in Player Index Rating (PIR), averaging 20.5 PIR.
In 19 EuroCup appearances, he averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in fewer than 28 minutes per game, while shooting 47% from 2-point range and 33% from three.
Among his standout performances was a career-high 37-point, five-assist outing against Neptunas Klaipeda.
Russell also elevated his game in the biggest moments of the season.
He produced 20 points and seven assists in Cluj’s EuroCup Round of 16 victory over Buducnost Podgorica, then followed up with 23 points, four assists, and three steals in the quarterfinals against Bahcesehir Istanbul.
Praise from a EuroLeague champion
Russell has also established himself as one of Europe’s most productive guards through previous stops with Galatasaray, Manisa, and Karsiyaka.
Across his three seasons in Turkey, he never averaged fewer than 16 points and 4.7 assists per game.
When Valencia Basket began searching for a replacement for Jean Montero, former EuroLeague champion Errick McCollum publicly endorsed Russell on social media.
“Fatts Russell would be a great fit! Explosive scorer with range who can create and ignite the break, similar to Montero. Passport holder (Romania) and dominated the EuroCup (20 PPG, 6 APG). Montero also came from the EuroCup (13 PPG, 5 APG) before his EuroLeague breakout season (14 PPG, 5 APG) and Final Four appearance. DAWGS!” wrote McCollum.
The American-born guard has also represented Romania in FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, becoming one of the country’s offensive leaders.
He starred in Romania’s impressive 73-66 victory over Greece, finishing with 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes.
Per BasketNews sources, Monaco reached a verbal agreement with Russell before his standout performance against Greece.
His best performance for the national team came in a victory over Portugal, when he poured in 29 points.
Monaco begins a new chapter
Russell is expected to become the first major signing of Monaco’s new project after the club secured a 3+2 EuroCup license.
The Monagasque club is preparing for at least one season in the EuroCup while planning to bid for a return to the EuroLeague beginning with the 2027-28 season.
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