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France is one of the best teams heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. They finished second in both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 EuroBasket. They will look to finish with another medal in the World Cup after taking bronze in 2019.
Les Bleus were one of the first teams to announce their 12-man roster for the World Cup, doing so before August. Alhough they're without top prospect Victor Wembanyama, they still have a bunch of NBA veterans like Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum.
Here's the complete France roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup:
- Nicolas Batum
- Isaïa Cordinier
- Nando De Colo
- Moustapha Fall
- Evan Fournier
- Sylvain Francisco
- Rudy Gobert
- Mathias Lessort
- Elie Okobo
- Yakuba Ouattara
- Terry Tarpey
- Guerschon Yabusele
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France's projected starting five at 2023 FIBA World Cup
France's projected starting five boasts current and former NBA players. Nando de Colo played two seasons in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. He returned to Europe in 2014 and became a EuroLeague MVP.
Ellie Okobo was with the Phoenix Suns from 2018 to 2020 before going back to Europe. He's now the catalyst for AS Monaco's domestic success at LNB Pro A. Evan Fournier, Nicolas Batum and Rudy Gobert are all NBA veterans who have plenty of experience playing under FIBA rules.
Here's the projected starting five for France:
- PG: Nando de Colo
- SG: Ellie Okobo
- SF: Evan Fournier
- PF: Nicolas Batum
- C: Rudy Gobert
Guerschon Yabusele is expected to be the sixth man. The former Celtics draft pick has thrived in his role for France and Real Madrid. Yabusele could also enter the starting five and replace Ellie Okobo if France wants to go with a big lineup.
Who is the coach of the France men's national basketball team?
Vincent Collet has been in charge of France since 2009 and has helped the national team win seven medals in three FIBA competitions. Before Collet's tenure as coach, France had won only three medals since 1935.
Collet was at the helm when France won their first gold medal at the 2013 EuroBasket, as well as silver in 2011 and 2022, and a bronze in 2015.
France won their first Olympic medal in basketball, a silver in 2020, and two third-place finishes at the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cup, under Collet.
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