By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Heurtel had his best game ever with the French national team against USA with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.
So can the NBA be the next step for the teammate of Dario Saric in Anadolu Efes? Speaking after the game Heurtel, who has one more year in his contract with Anadolu Efes explained that he didn’t feel that he “need to show” something special because of the oppponets, but he admitted: “Everyone is motivated when he is playing against the United States, these are global superstars. This is not necessarily a goal (ed.note: going to the NBA) but if I have the opportunity … After all it’s not like I have to go to the NBA, because I had a game like that.”
In any case the 27 years old Heurtel is the heir of Tony Parker in the point guard position of the French national team and he spoke about the relationship with France’s biggest star: “When I arrived in the Frence national team things were complicated. I was not accustomed playing behind such a strong player. Since the qualifying tournament before Rio, our relationship is going very well”.
Heurtel learned just before the tipoff that Parker will not play against USA and he was reqady for the challenge: “I had a lot of responsibility this year in a team like Anadolu Efes with very strong players. I am clearly better today. I am very happy to be back in the French national team (ed.note: Heurtel didn’t play in last season’s Eurobasket). I got in shape and I really hope tp win a medal”.