As we announced in the columns of L’Equipe this Thursday morning, Vincent Collet confirmed during the program Tout le Sport (France 3) this Thursday night the list of the twelve players selected to represent the French men’s basketball team at the Tokyo Olympics (July 23 to August 8).
A list in which the return of Thomas Heurtel is seen in particular, packaged two years ago for the World Cup in China due to a knee injury. Asvel’s playmaker has roundly returned to France and could even claim the MVP of the season title as his club aspires to a new crowning. Also included in this selection are two other Villeurbannais: the Guerschon Yabusele interior and the Moustapha Fall pivot.
Main absent from this list, the leader of the Oklahoma City Thunder, author of a promising first season in the NBA. ” Théo wanted with his franchise to follow a very large development programCollet said. He stopped playing these games. He intended to carry him, but his selection was not obvious compared to the player who will replace him. In addition, four players make up a reserve roster: Isaia Cordinier (Nanterre), William Howard (Asvel), Axel Toupane (Milwaukee Bucks) and Mathias Lessort (Monaco).
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8 of the 12 players who will play in the Olympics participated in the 2019 World Cup in China. Paul Lacombe, Mathias Lessort, Axel Toupane and Louis Labeyrie have not been withdrawn.
This French team, as expected, will be articulated around the main French of the NBA: captain Nicolas Batum, backup Evan Fournier and pivot Rudy Gobert, who led his team, the Utah Jazz, to the head of the season.
The France team will begin its preparation for the Games on June 23 and will play three official friendlies, including a double confrontation against Spain (July 8 and 10). NBA players affected by the play-offs and still retained in their franchise will gradually be integrated.
The list of the twelve players selected to compete in the Olympic Games
Leaders : Andrew Albicy (31 years, Gran Canara / ESP), Thomas Heurtel (32 years, Asvel / FRA), Frank Ntilikina (22 years, New York Knicks / USA)
Rear : Nando De Colo (33, Fenerbahçe / TUR), Evan Fournier (28, Boston Celtics / United States)
Extremes : Nicolas Batum (32, Los Angeles Clippers / USA), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (26, Brooklyn Nets / USA)
Strong ends : Guerschon Yabusele (25 years old, Asvel / FRA), Amath M’baye (31 years old, Karsiyaka / TUR)
Pivots : Rudy Gobert (28 years old, Utah Jazz / USA), Moustapha Fall (29 years old, Asvel / FRA), Vincent Poirier (27 years old, Real Madrid / ESP)
The French team program in Tokyo
July 25: France – United States (2:00 p.m. in France)
July 28: France – Qualified (2pm)
July 31: France v Iran (3 hrs)
August 3: quarter-finals
August 5: semi-finals
August 7: final