Following the fine silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games, the FFBB should extend Jean-Aimé Toupane's contract at the head of the French women's team, probably until 2028.
Nevertheless, according to information from L'Equipethe staff's approach to the WNBA should change. We remember the controversy surrounding Marine Johannès, who was unable to play in Euro 2023 because she made a detour to the New York Liberty, instead of joining the Bleues' preparations directly.
After the final lost against the United States, the shooter had however clearly indicated that she would not give up on all the upcoming WNBA seasons, even if it meant having to skip the French team if she was still forced to make a choice between the American league and the tricolor jersey.
More and more French women in the WNBA?
But Jean-Aimé Toupane and his staff now seem ready to compromise, based on the spirit (and the result) of the Olympics… and probably out of pragmatism. The FFBB would thus consider accepting shorter preparations, allowing its players to go to the WNBA the year of the FIBA competitions.
It must be said that many players are likely to be affected in the future (Marine Johannès, Gabby Williams, Iliana Rupert, Leïla Lacan, Marine Fauthoux, Carla Leite, Dominique Malonga, etc.) and that the French women's team cannot impose an ultimatum on half of its team every year.
It remains to be seen whether this policy change is confirmed, with Euro 2025 taking place from June 19 to 29, 2025, in Italy, Greece, Germany and the Czech Republic. That is, in the middle of the WNBA season, which runs from mid-May to mid-September…
