By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Head coach Frederic Fauthoux has named a 16-player roster for the senior national team of France heading into the upcoming July window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, as revealed by the French Federation of Basketball on Friday.
The star-studded training camp squad is highlighted by the returns of veterans Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier, alongside a strong NBA contingent featuring Bilal Coulibaly, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Guerschon Yabusele, and newcomer Maxime Raynaud. While France will be without Victor Wembanyama following his deep run in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, Fauthoux balanced the roster with EuroLeague standouts Sylvain Francisco, Nadir Hifi, Jaylen Hoard, Timothy Luwawu-Cabarrot, Frank Ntilikina, Elie Okobo, and Matthew Strazel, who were also called up alongside window veterans Adam Mokoka and Amine Noua to ensure continuity.
Les Bleus will gather in Pau starting June 22 for an extended preparation camp aimed at maximizing team chemistry under summer NBA release rules.
Currently sitting at 3-1 in Group G, France has already clinched its berth in the second and final stage of the Qualifiers. However, Fauthoux considers the upcoming road game against Belgium on July 3 and the home clash against Finland in Pau on July 6 remain vital because all first-round records carry over into Group L. Securing maximum victories this summer is paramount to establishing an early advantage before the six-team second phase officially tips in late August, keeping France on a steady path toward the 32-team global tournament in Qatar.
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