France is one of the top international teams as evidenced by their fourth placing in the FIBA World Rankings.
When it comes to EuroBasket tournaments, the French have only come away with one gold medal in their history (2013), but they have consistently been among the challengers with two silver medals (1949, 2011) and six bronze medals (1937, 1951, 1953, 1959, 2005, 2015).
The French have risen to be one of the world’s elite teams, boasting a number of NBA players on their roster. With Joel Embiid recently acquiring French citizenship, many felt that France would finally return to the top of Europe. But will the 76ers’ center play at EuroBasket 2022?
Here’s everything you need to know about Embiid’s availability and France’s roster.
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Joel Embiid made headlines in mid-July when he obtained French citizenship, enabling him to represent the country in international competition, with many expecting him to make his EuroBasket debut this year.
However, we will have to wait a bit longer to see Embiid in French colors as he will not be playing at EuroBasket 2022.
The team’s general manager, Boris Diaw, confirmed that Embiid is not registered as a French player yet. Furthermore, due to an injury he suffered in the NBA Playoffs this past season, he would not have played anyway.
“He would’ve liked to play this summer if he hadn’t been injured. But he underwent hand surgery and didn’t return to basketball,” Diaw revealed.
“It would’ve been too close, for him and Victor Wembanyama,” Diaw said. “We know that he’s still waiting for the French passport. When he obtains it, then he can start the process and apply for a FIBA license for the national team.”
Embiid suffered a facial injury and a hand injury during the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Although the orbital fracture didn’t require surgery, Embiid underwent multiple medical procedures to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and fix a separate injury he suffered on his left index finger.
Embiid is expected to make his debut with the French national team at next year’s World Cup.
The French national team began its preparation for EuroBasket 2022 at the end of July and played six games in August leading up to the tournament.
Here is France’s final roster for EuroBasket 2022:
France has been drawn into Group B with Slovenia, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
