The French national basketball team has been a rollercoaster of high expectations and sudden falls, and the recent 2023 World Cup was no exception. After the triumphant journey to the EuroBasket finals, the team faced a crushing defeat, failing to even qualify for the Round of 16 in the global tournament. It’s a setback that has left fans, analysts, and players alike searching for answers.
Veteran guard Nando De Colo, one of the most decorated players in French basketball history, is no stranger to the pressures and unpredictable nature of international play. As someone who led his team to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, De Colo’s perspective on the team’s recent disappointment and what it means for the future is invaluable. Ahead, we delve into the factors that contributed to France’s dismal performance, De Colo’s insights, and how the team is pivoting towards the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Unexpected Collapse: An Overview
The French team’s World Cup journey started to unravel following losses to Canada and Latvia. These initial setbacks derailed the squad, relegating them to the 18th position, the worst ever in France’s basketball history. While there has been a great deal of speculation on why the team couldn’t perform up to their known standards, it’s evident that some serious rethinking needs to be done ahead of the 2024 Olympics, which France is set to host.
Key Stats: A Comparative Look
| Season/Event | Average Points per Game | Final Placement |
| EuroBasket 2022 | 76.5 | Finalists |
| Tokyo Olympics | 81.3 | Silver Medal |
| World Cup 2023 | 67.8 | 18th |
Factors Leading to The Downfall
- Key Player Performance: Nando De Colo, who averages 16.5 points per game, managed only 8.6 in the World Cup.
- Coaching Decisions: Vincent Collet’s role as the coach has come under scrutiny.
- Team Chemistry: Players like Moustapha Fall have voiced concerns over their roles.
- Unexpected Moments: De Colo’s ejection in the game against Latvia changed the game dynamics.
Quo Vadis, France? The Questions Awaiting Answers
The French Basketball Federation is at a crossroads and must make some tough decisions:
- Will Vincent Collet continue to be the coach?
- How will the roles of players like Moustapha Fall be redefined?
- Can veterans like Rudy Gobert bring the much-needed stability?
Nando De Colo’s Take: Lessons and Future Plans
While several fingers are being pointed at various contributing factors, Nando De Colo takes a more balanced view of the situation.
“It’s about the future in general. For sure, we all have an individual responsibility to take care of. But in the end, we were just lost in the first game and let the second game go away. At that point, the tournament was already over,” he said.
Individual Performance and Responsibility
De Colo expressed his surprise at being charged with two unsportsmanlike fouls in the decisive game against Latvia. But when it came to taking the blame, he provided a neutral perspective.
“We all can do more on the court. That’s always the question when you lose. But now we can think about a lot of things,” – Nando De Colo
The Long Road to Redemption: Looking Towards the Olympics
With Paris hosting the 2024 Olympics, De Colo sees this as an opportunity for the French team to rebuild. He emphasized the need for the team to stay together and learn from the recent setbacks.
“We need to come back from that and remember what happened this summer,” he said, jokingly adding, “I’m sure they won’t fire everybody,” – Nando De Colo
De Colo mentioned that he’s contemplating an ideal finish in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which would mark the end of his national team career. Given that he’s won five international medals and two EuroLeague titles, that would be an apt curtain call for a storied career.
Captain Nicolas Batum: A Controversial Stance
After France’s dismal performance, team captain Nicolas Batum criticized the French Basketball Federation for not including Thomas Heurtel in the squad. This signals tension within the team, adding another layer of complexity to France’s challenges ahead.
The Federation’s Role: Decisions to be Made
Boris Diaw, the general manager of the French national team, also had comments to make on the roster and the lack of certain key players. His remarks underscore the multi-faceted issues that the federation will have to navigate.
An Uncertain Future: Players and Probabilities
The uncertainty doesn’t end with De Colo and Batum. Questions loom large over other players as well. Will Joel Embiid opt to play for France? Will Victor Wembanyama be available next summer after skipping the World Cup? These are questions that the French Basketball Federation must address.
Final Takeaways
As the dust settles on France’s unfortunate World Cup journey, the lessons are clear yet difficult to digest. The road to redemption is paved with introspection and, possibly, some hard decisions. For veteran players like Nando De Colo, who are eyeing an ideal finale at the Paris Olympics, the time for reflection is as crucial as the time spent on the court. The narrative isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s also about legacy, unity, and preparing for what could be the last ride for some of the team’s key figures.Looking ahead, the questions loom large. Will Vincent Collet stay on as coach? Will emerging talents like Victor Wembanyama get their chance to shine? And can the French squad set aside internal politics to focus on assembling the best possible team? With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher, but as De Colo rightly pointed out, “We need to come back from that and remember what happened this summer.” It’s a sentiment that seems to encapsulate the collective mindset as France turns the page on one chapter and tentatively steps into the next.
