Rudy Gobert in Blue this summer, yes. The tricolor international pivot (89 caps) from Minnesota had expressed doubts after his team’s exit from the track in the first round of the play-offs at the end of April. He finally decided to participate in the World Cup this weekend after talking with Vincent Collet, Boris Diaw and his comrades Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum. His message on social networks left little doubt, we are able to confirm it. A decision which comes as the vice-champions of Europe will have to do without the services of the new star of the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama. Coach Collet, on the other hand, will recover Batum and Nando De Colo for a campaign in the form of a “launch pad” for the 2024 Olympics.
Having only missed Euro 2017 since his debut in A, during the 2014 World Cup, the former Choletais is a faithful member of the France team. After a complicated first season on the collective level, he left himself a few weeks of reflection, in order to take stock. “I want to have the best year of my career next season. I know that this summer, I will put myself in a position that I have never known before, “he said during his exit conference.
To which Collet replied: “If he decides not to come, he will, but don’t say it’s to better prepare for next season. I’ve heard it for 15 years and I systematically see players not playing better the following year when they didn’t come to the France team during the summer. It is even rather the opposite that is happening.” And the coach added: “I dare to hope that he will be there this summer. For several years, he has been one of our leaders. He knows that this World Cup is not only worth the World Cup but also to be a launching pad for the Games. We need him. And I think he also needs the France team to have the best possible season in 2023-2024. He has three months to take care of himself, rest and be with us on July 28”. July 28 is the date on which the Tricolores will be expected at Insep. Vincent Collet will unveil his list this Wednesday on France 3.
Rudy Gobert comes out of a season with 13.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.4 against average with the Timberwolves, who had sent five players and five draft rounds to Utah to offer him to the summer 2021. He will enter the third year of a five-year, $205 million contract signed in 2020. In 2023-24, the native of Saint-Quentin (02) will receive $41 million. Gobert, who turns 31 on Monday, has already won five medals for the French team, two in silver (2020 Olympics, Euro 2022) and three in bronze (2014 and 2019 World Cup, Euro 2015).
The World Cup will take place in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The European runners-up will play their first round in Jakarta, while the final phase will take place in Manila. In group H, they will challenge Canada, Latvia and Lebanon, within their reach but still strong, before crossing with group G (Spain, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Iran).