It was expected, it’s now official. Initially under contract until 2024, Vincent Collet will be the coach of the French basketball team at the Paris Olympic Games next year. And this despite the fiasco of the World Cup in Jakarta last summer (elimination in the first round).
If this is not a surprise, it is because Jean-Pierre Siutat had already largely fanned out the suspense a few weeks ago, on RMC. As for the French women’s team, Jean-Aimé Toupane had also already been officially confirmed. “We had two medals in Tokyo. We also want two medals in Paris, that’s all the harm I wish for the French teams, recalled President Siutat this Tuesday, at a press conference, at the Paris headquarters of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB). The stakes are high, so we are serious about the approach. We reappointed the two coaches.”
Recalling that there are “no surprises” regarding Toupane after last summer’s bronze medal, Mr. Siutat detailed the decision for Collet, after an “uncompromising” analysis at the end of the 2023 World Cup. The work that has been done in the French team (since 2009) shows that he has a track record, recognition and an ability to bounce back, he did it in 2016 and 2017. He led the Blues to a series of three medals (2019, 2021, 2022). He’s the man for the job. He is 100% available to the federation, more on availability for missions,” swears the president of the “Fédé”.
Vincent Collet will in fact concentrate solely on the French team between now and the Olympic Games, he who left, as planned, his position as coach of Boulogne-Levallois at the end of the past season. He guided the French team to seven medals (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022).
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