During a press conference organized this Thursday in Paris, Jean-Aimé Toupane, the coach of the French women’s team and Vincent Collet, the coach of the men’s team, revealed their expanded groups with a view to the Paris 2024 Games.
The president of the French Basketball Federation, Jean-Pierre Siutat began the conference by emphasizing the consistency of the French teams. “ Here we are, a few days now before the start of the Olympic Games, today we have three qualified teams, fingers crossed for our 3×3 teams (editor’s note: currently in the middle of the TQO in Hungary).
I want to remind you that since 2012 on traditional basketball, girls and boys in 2012, in 2016, in 2020 and 2021 in Tokyo and 2024 in Paris of course, and it feels good to say that with the United States , we are the only two nations to have been present with both teams “. Then the preselected players were announced.
Youth over experience?
The French women’s basketball team will have a fairly long preparation, which will allow the coach to evaluate certain players. “ Even if we are in an Olympic context, we need to build a team worthy of this event. », underlines Jean-Aimé Toupane. Young players pre-selected like Marine Fauthoux, Marie Pardon, or Iliana Rupert, but one notable absentee: Sandrine Gruda. The former captain and best scorer in the history of the Blue is not part of the list.
« She is an exceptional player, she has always worn the Bleues jersey with commitment. It wasn’t an easy decision for me. I met her and we talked. But I made choices about performance. We tried to build a team with the best possible chemistry. » Among the Blues, Vincent Collet opted for a larger group with 19 players.
« The uncertainty of choices has lengthened this list »
Initially, a list of 16 or 17 players was planned, but “ the uncertainty of choices has lengthened this list. This is linked to the constraints we have, in particular NBA players cannot start 28 days before the competition, having a larger list will allow us to work despite everything », explains Vincent Collet. Recently elected rookie of the year in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama is obviously present in the company of executives from the French team, such as NBA defender of the year Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, or Nando De Colo. A total of 19 players were shortlisted.
The preselected players
Leaders: Andrew Albicy (Gran Canaria), Matthew Strazel (Monaco), Théo Maledon (G-League), Killian Hayes (without club), Frank Ntilikina (without club)
Exteriors: Nando De Colo (Asvel), Evan Fournier (Detroit Pistons), Bilal Coulibaly (Washington Wizards), Nicolas Batum (Philadelphia 76ers), Isaïa Cordinier (Bologna), Elie Okobo (Monaco), Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City), Nadir Hifi (Paris)
Insiders: Guerschon Yabusele (Real Madrid), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Vincent Poirier (Real Madrid), Mathias Lessort (Panathinaïkos), Jaylen Hoard (Hapoel Tel Aviv)
The preselected players
Leaders: Marine Fauthoux (ASVEL Lyon), Marie Pardon (Basket Landes), Leila Lacan (Angers Basket), Romane Bernies (Lattes-Montpellier) and Carla Leite (Tarbes)
Outside: Pauline Astier (Tango Bourges), Valériane Ayayi (USK Prague), Marie-Paule Fopposi (Tarbes), Marine Johannès (Asvel Lyon), Sarah Michel Boury (Tango Bourges), Janelle Salaün (Villeneuve-d’Ascq), Mamignan Touré (Lattes-Montpellier), Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm)
Interior: Marième Badiane (Fenerbahçe), Dominique Malonga (Tarbes), Iliana Rupert (Atlanta Dream)
2024-05-17 18:00:40
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