By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nearby the floor and behind a desk, the loyalty of Nicolas Batum to the senior national team will extend to the EuroBasket 2025.
The 36-year-old winger will provide his expertise as color commentator of Les Bleus games in the upcoming international tournament, partnering with French journalist and sports commentator Gregoire Margotton in the television coverage of TFI in France.
His new role was officially confirmed on Saturday.
Nicolas Batum au micro du groupe @TF1 🎤
L’ex-capitaine des Bleus accompagnera Grégoire Margotton comme consultant de luxe sur les matchs des Bleus à l’EuroBasket 🙌#TeamFranceBasket | #PassionnémentBleu | #EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/jLF6hwk27F
— Équipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) July 26, 2025
The former captain of the French national team suited up through several major tournaments, from the junior level between 2004 and 2007, to the senior level from 2009 until calling it a day after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His tally was two silver Olympic medals, two bronze FIBA World Cup medals, and one gold plus one silver and one bronze EuroBasket medals, following two more gold medals and one bronze with junior national teams.
His international career is entering a new stage, but his NBA run will continue with the Los Angeles Clippers. A veteran of 1,207 games is heading to his 18th year in the league based in North America and sixth with the California franchise, his home since 2020, except for a spell with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2023-24 campaign.
Back in 2008, Batum was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 25th overall pick and immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers to subsequently launch a seven-year stint with the Oregon franchise until 2015. From 2015 to 2020, he played for the Charlotte Hornets.