Paris Lee, the demanding energizer of Monaco
Rookie in Euroleague, Paris Lee finds his marks alongside Mike James and Léo Westermann at the head of the Roca team. Before Fenerbahçe (Thursday at 6:45 p.m.), last season’s Jeep Elite passer with Orléans intends to allow Monaco to bounce back after three straight defeats in the Euroleague.
Having become one of the essential cogs in Zvezdan Mitrovic’s workforce, Paris Lee is asserting himself this year for his first season in the Euroleague. Sometimes holder, sometimes substitute, the pocket leader (1.83 m, 26 years old) compiles 7.1 points at 32.9% on shots (including 37.5% at 3-points) and 2.8 assists in 19 minutes in Euroleague and 10.1 points to 46.2% on shots (including 40.0% at 3-points) in 22 minutes in Betclic Elite. Above all, his permanent aggressiveness and his ability to score in hot moments are qualities appreciated on the Rock.
“I got into this habit of playing without worrying. I am inspired by the players and coaches who surround me to be the player that I am. I will look for the energy because I am simply happy to be there, and to be part of this project with Monaco. My family is there for me. I give my maximum because I am a happy man, and very well in my head. I always want to evolve at 100% of my means, and leave everything on the field, in each match, ”he said. to the official Monaco website.
Paris Lee has just made his two best European outings of the season against Anadolu Efes (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and ASVEL (20 points, 2 assists), with a nice 9/13 compiled at 3- points, despite two losses. Unfortunately for him, history will remember that he missed a free throw that could have killed the match and that he could not intercept the ball which returned to the hands of the villeurbannais William Howard, before the international english does not register a buzzer beater from the midfield!
“I was very angry after the game because we missed free throws in particular. But it’s the basket and it happens. As for this last action, I was just trying to catch the ball, and I manage to touch it. And when he got the ball back, I followed him but it all went really fast. He got ahead of me and took a big shot. I’m not going to lie to you, when the ball left his hands I knew he was coming in. “
After the series of three defeats in the Euroleague and before Thursday’s trip (6:45 p.m.) on the floor of Fenerbahçe, the native of Illinois is not worried about the situation of Monaco, who has not yet communicated on the situation of Mike James, hit in the ankle at the end of the game against ASVEL.
“We just have to readjust on certain points, and become a united team to become one. We have very good players, but we just have to find a way to coordinate all together. Once we manage to evolve in a defensive style that suits us, in order to be more comfortable, we will have taken a big step forward. Once that is done, I am sure that we will go far in the Euroleague, because we have the means for that. “
Photo: Paris Lee (Euroleague)