This is sad news for the player and a big blow for the French basketball team. This Tuesday, a few hours of time to face Poland on the 4th day of Euro groups – a decisive match for the group’s ranking -, the Blues announced the package for the rest of the competition from Alexandre Sarr.
“Touched in the calf against Slovenia, Alexandre Sarr (20, 7 selections) must end his Eurobasket. The France group shares the disappointment of the interior and wishes it a speedy recovery, “said the federation in a statement.
The pivot (2.13 m) was injured during the confrontation against Slovenia (103-95) on Saturday. An injury that everyone was thinking about harmless. The Draft number 2 in 2024 and Washington Wizards player in the NBA was also very precious during the success in the face of Luka Doncic partners. Present on both sides of the field, mobile, skillful and a real defensive bulwark, he had finished the meeting 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 against in 22 minutes.
However, he had not played the next day during the defeat against Israel (69-82). His absence had been detrimental for the French team in need of size and anchoring in the internal sector. The staff of the Blues had announced on Monday that last tests were necessary to find out if he could return to Poland …
It will not be. “The French team’s medical staff has since been able to carry out various examinations which have revealed a lesion whose healing period is incompatible with the participation of the player for the rest of the competition,” said the Federation.
Not only the one who disputed, at just 20 years old, his first campaign with the Blues and established himself as an essential element will therefore not be back this Tuesday but he will even miss the rest of the competition. A hell of a headache for the coach Frédéric Fauxoux who must compose with an inner sector reduced and amputated many executives.
Victor Wembanyama, Mathias Lessort, Rudy Gobert – Olympic vice -champions – and Vincent Poirier had indeed declared forfeit for injuries or personal choice in recent weeks. Called by the tricolor staff following Poirier’s injury, Moussa Diabaté had decided to decline the selection just before the Euro. A decision that may penalize the Blues for the rest of the tournament.
The French interior forces are now reduced to three players with Jaylen Hoard, Guerschon Yabusele and Mam Jateh. The latter was the last professional pivot.
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