Vincent Collet unveils his selection for the Olympics with Gobert, Batum and Fournier as leaders

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Vincent Collet during France-England in qualifying for Euro 2022 basketball, February 22, 2021. – Nikola Krstic // SIPA

Talent to spare to bring back a medal from the Tokyo Games: around executives Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier, currently in the NBA play-offs, the coach of the France team Vincent Collet unveiled a solid list on Thursday , consistent and ambitious.

Winger Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot and point guard Frank Ntilikina, also playing in the North American league, back Nando De Colo, pointers Thomas Heurtel and Andrew Albicy, pivots Vincent Poirier and Moustapha Fall, strong wingers Amath Mbaye and Guerschon Yabusele complete the group of 12 Blues, which will have the United States as a rival in the group stage of the Olympic basketball tournament (July 25-August 7).

Given the possibility that some NBA players could finish their championship late – the play-offs starting on Saturday are set to lead to finals likely to go until July 22 – with the risk of injury or fatigue that results. , Vincent Collet drew up another list of four substitute players.

“The determination of the players to compete in the Games is strong. Fournier, Batum, Ntilikina … assured that they would come no matter what, Collet said. The French federation will do what is necessary in terms of insurance with their NBA clubs. “

“For the moment it’s a list, not yet a team”

The substitutes are winger Axel Toupane, strong winger William Howard, interior Mathias Lessort and rear Isaïa Cordinier, who will participate in the preparation camp, in Pau from June 24 to July 6. Other players will then be called in to form a second team with them, in order to play training matches with the holders.

With this team, the objective in Tokyo will be to grab a place on the podium. “We wanted to keep the backbone of 2019 because the campaign was satisfactory, to rely on a team that was already functioning. It had to be strengthened, commented the coach. For the moment it is a list, not yet a team. The team, we will build it together. We have a strong potential, the behavior will have to be exemplary from the first to the last day. We will have to quickly switch to the requirement, because the preparation will be very short. I want to go on the podium and as high as possible. “





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