PARIS (France) - Frank Ntilikina already has won two international titles wearing France on his chest. But the 20-year-old guard's next dream is to represent Les Bleus at the senior level for the first time at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

The French talent guided France to the crown at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2014 and the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016, getting France back to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2009. He did not step on the hardwood in Cairo the following year, where France finished seventh, but he now hopes to play at the global stage for the first time.

"I have had this goal in my mind for a while now, and I am really looking forward for this day to come as soon as possible. It's an honor and makes me proud to represent my country; I have been able to do so many times at the youth level during many years with the same motivation and love for the national team."

The New York Knicks playmaker knows the competition for spots on Vincent Collet's team in China will be fierce. "Many players can make the team and will be called for the training camp, and I am excited with the possibility to join the team," the 6ft 6in (1.98m) guard said.

Frank Ntilikina at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016

Ntilikina knows a thing or two about winning, averaging 7.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.6 rebounds in taking the U16 European crown in 2014 and then collecting 15.2 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks as the MVP of the U18 European tournament in 2016.

"Those are moments I will never forget, some of the best ones in my young career so far," Ntilikina said. "It’s so good to win a title and to do it with your country, those were unbelievable competitions and they helped me become the player I am today. I learned a lot during those FIBA competitions, and you share those moments of happiness and titles with your teammates, which is pretty unique. Those titles are very special, very special for me."

Elie Okobo playing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers

Ntilikina is one of many up-and-coming players making in-roads into the senior team along with the likes of Guershon Yabusele, Elie Okobo and Luwawu Cabarrot.

"France has so many players that can compete at the highest level and the pool of players that can make the final roster is very big too. That’s a very good thing for us since it means that our competitiveness is high and that a lot of players can show up and be impactful at the highest level," Ntilikina said.

All this promises the recent run of positive results - including first place at FIBA EuroBasket 2013, second at EuroBasket 2011 and third places at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and EuroBasket 2015 - has good chances to continue.

"The future is bright if we keep working hard since we have all the tools and the players to keep being one of the most competitive teams in the world," Ntilikina said. "We have players in the best leagues in the world, guys with experience, guys who won medals and titles with the national team already and also a lot of young guys that are eager to help the team maintain that great dynamic. Nothing is granted, that is for sure, but we have the potential to have a very good team for many more years to come."

France’s future starts with China 2019, where they are drawn into Group G alongside Dominican Republic, Germany and Jordan.

“THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT IF WE KEEP WORKING HARD SINCE WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS AND THE PLAYERS TO KEEP BEING ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE TEAMS IN THE WORLD.”- Ntilikina

"It's a very interesting group, very competitive," he said. "Germany has been doing very well in the last couple of years and has so many talented players. They did beat France in the last FIBA EuroBasket (2017), we can't forget that. The Dominican Republic has qualified for international competitions for many years too, and they have a solid team. I don't know that much about Jordan, but I am sure they have a competitive group of players as they did reach a spot for the FIBA World Cup. Every game is going to be tough."

And what about the goal for Collet’s team in China?

"We have a lot of potential and all the tools to be ambitious. France's senior national team has had great results and won medals in the last couple of years, and we can maintain the same dynamic. The guys are going to work hard in order to try to have a great run in China. The potential, the players and all the ingredients are here, we have to keep working hard," Ntilikina said.

FIBA