The suspense is over for Paris 2024 and the French basketball teams. On the men's and 5×5 side, as we announced, Elie Okobo And Theo Maledon are the last two players to be sidelined by Vincent Collet. No last-minute surprises due to physical problems like the Blues experienced before the last World Cup.
Nando De Colo is thus well present on the back lines, just like Evan FournierOr Isaiah Cordinierwhich could have been in the balance at the beginning of the preparation.
” This is not a finish line ” kept the French team coach under pressure on the Blues website. ” We must maintain this energy even though the players no longer have anything to prove, at least to be part of the Olympic team. The motivation must, however, remain the same to progress and improve. Perhaps with more serenity for some. »
With Nando De Colo this time shifted to the outside, France will approach the Games with three real leaders, including Matthew StrazelThe Monegasque was still the big odds-on a few weeks ago and was convincing in the first two preparation matches that he started in the starting five.
” Matthew Strazel clearly scored a lot of points during the Eurobasket qualifiers in February.” explained Vincent Collet. ” Because he was good. Both in commitment but also in scoring by playing with nerve. He showed the same things with an even stronger team. His grit is an element that goes in the direction of our desire to see a combative team. We were marked by the World Cup last year. And it is a crucial element. Beyond wanting to say it, having warriors in a roster gives you more chance of having a team of fighters. »
In an attempt to do even better than the silver medal at the Tokyo Games, Vincent Collet is relying on a mix of generations and the incorporation of the inevitable Victor Wembanyama. Alongside him is his former teammate at Metropolitans 92, Bilal Coulibalywho also played under the orders of Vincent Collet.
THE FRENCH MEN'S TEAM GROUP
Leaders: Andrew Albicy, Frank Ntilikina, Matthew Strazel
Exteriors: Nicolas Batum, Isaia Cordinier, Bilal Coulibaly, Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier
Interiors: Rudy Gobert, Mathias Lessort, Victor Wembanyama, Guerschon Yabusele
The Blues in full force with Johannes, Williams and Malonga
The French women's 5×5 team will also approach the Olympic Games with a remodeled squad compared to its last event, Euro 2023. No drama this time regarding the participation of Marine Johannesdeprived of competition last year due to a dispute over her WNBA contract with the New York Liberty.
Gabby Williamsanother notable absentee, is also there, not Sandrine Grudaexcluded from the French group before preparation by coach Jean-Aimé Toupane.
The passing of the baton continues without surprise with the selection of Dominique Malonga, the 18-year-old pivot, who will experience her first major competition, after the TQO during the season. Marie-Paule Foppossi, Carla Leite And Mamignan Toure are the last three players cut by Jean-Aimé Toupane. Injured in the second half of the season, Marine Fauthoux has succeeded in her bet and is indeed one of the 12 players present in Paris. Just like the executives Sarah Michel Bourywho will retire from international football after the Olympics, Alexia Chery, Valerian Ayayi Or Iliana Rupert.
THE FRENCH WOMEN'S TEAM GROUP
Leaders: Romane Bernies, Marine Fauthoux
Exterior: Valériane Ayayi, Marine Johannès, Leïla Lacan, Sarah Michel Boury, Gabby Williams
Interiors: Marième Badiane, Alexia Chery, Dominique Malonga, Iliana Rupert
No surprises for the 3×3 Blues, Raphaël Wilson left out in the men's competition
Among the contenders for the 3×3 title, the French women's team is logically composed of Myriam Djekoundade, Laetitia Guapo, Hortense Limouzin And Marie-Eve Pagetleft at the disposal of the Blues all season in view of the Olympic deadline.
” This might seem like an unsurprising team, but we had greatly reshuffled the cards when we started the Olympic preparation project. ” precise the coach Yann Julien. ” There should not be a feeling of being settled. That is contradictory to high-level sport. We had to explore again everything that the players were capable of bringing. And we discussed dozens of different scenarios before arriving at this one. »
— Equipe France (@EquipeFRA) July 8, 2024
The Blues of 3×3, qualified during the last TQO in Hungary, will be composed of Lucas Dussolier, Jules Rambaut, Franck Seguela And Timothé Vergiat. Raphael Wilsonone of the heroes of the qualification in Debrecen, is left out in favor of Dussolier, who plays at Nanterre in Betclic Elite, in 5×5 for the rest of the season. What guided my choice was the fact of having the most complementary team possible. » detailed coach Karim Souchu. ” I needed the opportunity to see the players who came from 5×5 and who finished the season a little later. I wanted to see and give these players a chance to evaluate them. This guided my choice for the final selection, which is made up of experienced players who have references in 3×3 and who know the discipline very well. »
The competitions will start on July 27 for men in 5×5, July 29 for women and July 30 for 3×3 basketball.
