Free agent swingman Evan Fournier, who is currently competing with France at the Olympics in Paris, was critical of his team’s tactics following its group stage loss to Germany, as BasketNews.com relays.
“I think we lack fundamentals,” Fournier told Yann Ohnona of L’Equipe. “We have to move on. At times, I think we get it wrong in the way we want to play. And we pay the price for that. These days, the best defense is offense. It’s no longer the game of the 1990s or 2000s where you could defend half-court. Offense is essential. Balance on the court, transition game. Especially when you play a team as strong in transition as Germany is.”
The French national team, which went 2-1 in group play, will face undefeated Canada in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Here are a few more international notes:
- French point guard Elie Okobo, who did not make the cut for the Olympics, has signed a two-year extension with EuroLeague squad A.S. Monaco Basket, the team announced in a press release. The 31st pick of the 2018 draft, Okobo spent two seasons with Phoenix from 2018-20.
- Latvian guard Arturs Zagars will play for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce during the 2024/25 season, the team announced on Sunday (hat tip to Kevin Martorano of Sportando). Zagars, who drew NBA interest last summer but has never played in the league, sustained a meniscus injury last fall while on loan with the BC Wolves of Lithuania.
- Former NBA guard Gabriel Lundberg recently spoke to Vreme Citanja of Mozzart Sport about his decision to sign with Serbia’s Partizan. “I am excited. I will be part of a new project, a new team is being built,” Lundberg said, per Matorano of Sportando. “I could not miss the opportunity to play in Belgrade: Every time I played against Partizan it was incredible. I always told myself that one day I would like to play here, and I am happy that this wish came true. I am on a legendary team, with a legendary coach and a fan base that is all over Europe. I really imagined playing in front of those fans one day.” A 29-year-old guard from Denmark, Lundberg spent the past two seasons with Virtus Bologna of Italy after playing four games with Phoenix in 2021/22 while on a two-way deal.
Theo Maledon or Killian Hayes should have been on this team. And tbh 2 of Hayes, Maledon & Nadir Hifi should have been on this team. I wasn’t a fan of how Diaw picked this team from the jump. If not for that 4pt play by Strazel this French team would be headed home & tbh Spain prob deserves this spot more than them.
So those two guys would have turned them into metal contenders? 2028 will be the time for France to compete. Lebron will be gone and Wemby will be the best player in the world by then.
They play for Medals not Metals.They are made from metal so I can see why you are confused.
On a different tack Wemby may not be the best player in the World by 2028. Undoubtedly he and the entire French team will be much better than they are today. That said by 2028 it is more likely that the best player in the world will be about 5 years older than Wemby and more polished now. That could be any of maybe 30 or so rising stars already playing the pro’s when Wembanyama was in the French league. I’d be surprised if Wemby doesn’t become that player at some point in his career.