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The All-25 EuroLeague Team is taking shape, with the third set of inductees being confirmed. Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic, Dejan Bodiroga, Georgios Printezis and Walter Tavares join fellow honorees Dimitris Diamantidis, Mike James, Vasilije Micic, Anthony Parker, Sergio Rodriguez, Nando De Colo, Sergio Llull, Ramunas Siskauskas, Vassilis Spanoulis and Nikola Vujcic. The selection process combined the votes of EuroLeague head coaches who had won a championship, past All-Decade Team members and MVPs, media representatives and fans. The coaches and playing greats each made up 40% of the final vote, and the media and fans were 10% each.
Nicolas Batum: 'The United States is the best team but we're getting closer and closer'
Nicolas Batum announced his retirement from the French national team, together with Nando De Colo, however, his legacy includes two Olympic Games finals in which he lost to the USA, but the games were really competitive. That’s not a small thing, as he explained: “This is still the best team in the world. The USA is the best team but we’re getting closer and closer. I mean, we have pride. Not because the USA is going to show up, we’re going to just give them the game and say, okay, you are too good and we won’t compete”.
Frank Ntilikina, Guerschon Yabusele and former EuroLeague MVP Nando de Colo all have NBA experience under their belts, as well. "We are lucky to have a team with experience, but we know if we want a chance to go all the way [we need] to be strong defensively. Our defense will fuel our attack," Gobert told reporters ahead of France's game against Brazil. "We are working very hard to be able to maximize our strengths and qualities with consistency."
France has announced its roster for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After cutting Elie Okobo and Theo Maledon as the last players, the 12 that coach Collet will have at his disposal for the Olympics are official. Andrew Albicy, Frank Ntilikina, Matthew Strazel, Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier, Bilal Coulibaly, Isaiah Cordinier, Nicolas Batum, Guerschon Yabusele, Victor Wembanyama, Mathias Lessort, Rudy Gobert
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ASVEL Villeurbanne announced that EuroLeague superstar, former MVP and champion Nando De Colo signed a contract with the team for the next two seasons. The veteran French guard is back playing in his home country for the first time after he began his career with Cholet in 2006-2009.
Evan Fournier to play in 2022 Eurobasket
France NT will suit up for the 2022 EureoBasket without some notable players, like Nicolas Batum and Nando De Colo. However, Evan Fournier will not be among them. With the New York Knicks failing to make the playoffs, Fournier became easier available for his national team ahead of the next international tournament.
French national team captain Nicolas Batum announced he is skipping the 2022 EuroBasket in a recent interview with First Team. The LA Clippers forward and silver-medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is the second marquee name that won’t be joining Les Bleus in September. Nando De Colo confirmed back in March that he will also be missing for the French NT.
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Vesely, De Colo staying in Europe
Nando De Colo and Jan Vesely will stay with Fenerbahce Beko for the 2020-2021 season according to Eurohoops sources, despite rumors pointing to the opposite. De Colo signed a 2+1 contract with the Turkish powerhouse in 2019 while Vesely is under a contract through 2022.
France are the winners of FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medal. The team coached by Vincent Collet beat Australia 67-59 with a comeback in the second half. France was led defensively by Nicolas Batum while offensively Nando De Colo paced the team with 19 points.
France are emerging like strong contenders for the title, with coach Vincent Collet rounding out his backcourt with experience after spending the closing days of the training camp with a loaded selection of guards. And Andrew Albicy, Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier, Paul Lacombe and Frank Ntilikina got the nod from the head coach, while the last two national team members to be cut were also the two youngest ones in 18-year-old Theo Maledon and 21-year-old Elie Okobo.
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