So far, all the lights were green for the Blues of basketball. In any case, the France team has achieved a flawless preparation, with five wins in five matches. The latest on Friday, in Vilnius, against Lithuania (70-76). Vincent Collet, however, has some concerns. Touched in the right thigh on Friday evening, Frank Ntilikina aroused “strong concern” from the coach, questioned this Saturday in Rueil-Malmaison during a last visit to France before taking the direction of Asia, and in l occurrence of Japan. The new Charlotte Hornets player had to undergo an MRI. And the results are now known: Ntilikina, 25, is forfeited for the World Cup (August 25-September 10), he who was gaining strength after having already missed Euro 2022 through injury.
“His thigh injury does not guarantee a satisfactory recovery in time for the start of the World Cup on Friday August 25. The technical and medical staff have decided by mutual agreement not to keep Frank Ntilikina in the workforce”, specifies the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) in a press release. Who will replace him ? The suspense will last a few more days. The lucky winner will join the group in Japan.
What about Mathias Lessort, who has not played a single minute since the start of preparation due to an ankle injury. “He will stay in Paris for a few more days to get treatment and we hope to recover him as soon as possible”, explained Collet, acknowledging that “the process is a little longer” than what the staff had estimated. “But we are still with the aim of being able to recover it before the World Cup”, added the Norman technician. Departure for Tokyo on Monday, with two friendly matches on the menu (Japan, Australia) before turning to the duel against Canada, on August 25, for the first match of the Blues at the 2023 World Cup. (with AFP)
