Barcelona has signed French ahead Yoan Makoundou to a contract working by means of June 30, 2028, the membership introduced Saturday. The 26-year-old arrives after a season break up between Monaco and China’s Fujian Sturgeons and turns into one other addition to Barcelona’s extensively rebuilt frontcourt.
Listed at 2.07 meters, Makoundou brings expertise throughout the EuroLeague, EuroCup, Basketball Champions League and home competitions in France, Montenegro, Turkey and China. Barcelona described him as an athletic and versatile inside participant able to contributing on each ends of the ground.
Makoundou spent the primary three skilled seasons of his profession with Cholet earlier than becoming a member of Monaco in 2022. His strongest EuroLeague manufacturing with Monaco got here in the course of the 2022-23 season, when he averaged 4.4 factors and three.0 rebounds in 9.9 minutes throughout seven appearances.
His two subsequent loans supplied him with a bigger position. Makoundou averaged 11.0 factors, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17 EuroCup video games for Buducnost in 2023-24, capturing 60.8% from the sector and 40.6% from three-point vary.
He adopted that with 11.4 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 18 EuroCup appearances for Turk Telekom in 2024-25. The Frenchman shot 51.7% general and 36.4% from three, giving Barcelona a frontcourt choice who has proven some means to stretch the ground whereas additionally defending the rim.
Makoundou returned to Monaco for the beginning of the 2025-26 marketing campaign, averaging 9.1 factors in 10 French league video games earlier than transferring to Fujian. He produced 15.2 factors, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks in 19 CBA video games, then returned to Monaco for the decisive section of the season.
Barcelona’s announcement highlighted his 11.0 factors and three.6 rebounds throughout Monaco’s home playoff run, which ended with the membership successful the French championship. He additionally gained the French Cup and Leaders Cup in the course of the season.
The signing continues a serious overhaul beneath new head coach Aleksandar Sekulic. Barcelona has already added Olivier Nkamhoua, Josh Nebo, Stanley Umude, Tyrese Martin, Tosan Evbuomwan and Aleksander Balcerowski, amongst others, whereas Jan Vesely, Willy Hernangomez, Youssoupha Fall, Will Clyburn and Tornike Shengelia are among the many notable departures.
Barcelona completed ninth within the 2025-26 EuroLeague common season at 21-17. The membership’s earlier frontcourt rotation relied closely on Shengelia, who averaged 12.4 factors and 4.6 rebounds, and Vesely, who posted 8.7 factors and three.3 rebounds throughout 38 EuroLeague video games.
