The Blues who, although already qualified for Paris, are participating in one of the four Olympic qualifying tournaments in China, could hardly hope for a better sparring partner than this weak Puerto Rican selection.
She only scored five baskets (out of 30 attempted) at two points and lost a whopping 22 balls, diving completely after five minutes (6-5) against the aggressive, serious and energized Blues – after a bit of a start to the game. asleep – by Johannes.
Substitute at kick-off, the Asvel back fired two long-distance arrows in a row to put France in front (13-6, 8th), which then rolled (37-13 at half-time), in success behind the arc (13/31). “MJ” signed her return to the selection in a beautiful way, she who had not been selected for Euro-2023 after a disagreement with the Federation, which wanted her to participate in the entire preparation while she wanted to make a return trip to her WNBA franchise in New York.
She finished with 17 points on the clock in 17 minutes (5/10 from long distance), plus 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Also back in Blue after also missing the Euro, due to concussions, winger Gabby Williams started on the piano (0/5 shooting) before unlocking her counter at the end of the third quarter to finish with 11 units (including 2/3 at 3 points).
The weakness of the opponent also allowed the leader Alix Duchet (10 points at 2/3 long distance) to have fun for her first international match since the 2021 Olympics, and the great hope inside Dominique Malonga ( 1.97 m, 18 years old) to experience his first minutes (8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks). China, reigning world vice-champion after eliminating Les Bleues in the quarter-finals, will offer them a completely different opposition on Saturday, in front of their home crowd.