After the failure of the last World Cup, a new era seems to be dawning in French teamsix months before the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. But before thinking about this competition “at home”, the men of Vincent Collet will already have to start off on a good basis by successfully completing their entry into the qualifications for theEurobasket 2025.
For this deadline scheduled for the month of February, the Blues will challenge Croatia in Brest (on the 23rd) then Bosnia in Tuzla (on the 26th), and they will rely on a group of 13 players, mixing youth (Zaccharie Risacher , Matthew Strazel, Nadir Hifi) and experience (Andrew Albicy, Guerschon Yabusele, Vincent Poirier, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot).
Thinking about the present while preparing for the future
“ Integrate one or even two new young people […] who could be part of the next competition » was precisely one of Vincent Collet's priorities for this winter gathering. The first since the failed World Cup in Asia…
“ This is what we have always tried to do, even if there is an imperative for results, since there is qualification for the next Eurobasket at stake. » remember the French coach. “ Nadir Hifi, after two last seasons at Portel where he had already shown interesting things, confirmed this season with Paris Basketball. It is the same thing for Matthew Strazel : we found that, since the start of the year, it was consistent. Particularly in the French championship, because that's where he plays the most, with a regular level of performance and where he shows real progress. His few appearances in the Euroleague are also interesting. »
Victor Wembanyama-style trajectory for Zaccharie Risacher?
But the main attraction of this gathering will obviously be named Zaccharie Risacher, who is already being presented as the number one in the next Draft…
“ For Zacharie Risacher it's still different because he's very young » underlines Vincent Collet. “ But I remind you that, last year, we did not wait with Victor Wembanyama even though he was the same age. It's a bit the same situation. His latest performances in the championship and Eurocup are really convincing. It's never too early to integrate talented young people who should settle with the A's. It's the process. »
