France revelation M'Baye ready to target spot in Olympic squad

PARIS (France) - One might suppose that starting in every game of France's successful run to the podium at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China that Amath M'Baye already has one hand firmly on a spot in the country's Olympic team for next year.

The 29-year-old doesn't think that way.

"We had a good group that was well built and I'm hoping they keep things the same but it's not up to me," M'Baye said to FIBA.basketball.

"I know we're going to have to fight for (roster) spots again, but I'm ready for that."

A veteran journeyman on the professional circuit, M'Baye qualifies as one of the revelations of the year following a breakout campaign with Basketball Champions League winners Virtus Bologna and his run to third place with France at the World Cup.

M'Baye, not even a year ago, would have been a long shot to be a part of France's World Cup squad.

More to the point, how many people had even heard of M'Baye before he started to shine for Virtus Bologna in the 2018-19 Basketball Champions League?

"IT'S DEFINITELY CHANGED MY LIFE. THE EXPERIENCE IS ONE THAT I'LL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. EVERYTHING WAS PUT TOGETHER IN SUCH A PERFECT WAY, FROM THE PLAYERS TO THE STAFF."- M'Baye on playing for France

He could be viewed as a bit of a late-comer to the sport since he says he didn't start playing basketball seriously until he was 15. M'Baye has only played in Europe for the past few seasons.

In 2009, after competing at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Greece, he embarked on a collegiate career in the United States that first saw him play for the Wyoming Cowboys for a couple of seasons before he transferred and finished, in 2013, with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Following that experience, the Bordeaux-born M'Baye launched his pro career in Japan, with Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.

He remained in the Far East until the 2016-17 season, when he moved to Italy to play for Brindisi, then the following year he joined Olimpia Milano. Last season he switched to Virtus and now he's in Izmir, Turkey, playing for Pinar Karsiyaka.

It was because of his eyebrow-raising performances for Virtus that M'Baye got a chance to play for France in the European Qualifiers. In his first game, on November 30 last year, M'Baye played more than 25 minutes and led Les Bleus with 18 points in a 79-65 French win against Czech Republic. He hasn't missed a game with France since.

M'Baye helped France upset the USA in the Quarter-Finals on September 11

"Most likely as a player, the Qualifiers are the one and only reason that I was able to be a part of that squad that went to the World Cup," M'Baye said. "I'm thankful for that and I'm looking forward to the next windows to be able to put in that work again."

M'Baye causes match-up problems. At 2.06m (6ft 9in), he can post up yet he can also stretch the floor with his three-point shooting ability. He was 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) at the World Cup. And coach Vincent Collet clearly trusts him, too, because he started M'Baye in all eight games at the World Cup.

M'Baye says he won't ever forget the first time he walked onto the court in a France jersey, in the European Qualifiers. He dunked in his first couple of points immediately after the opening tip of that game. He won't forget  beating the two-time defending champions USA in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup, or coming from behind to stun Australia in the Third-Place Game.

What he treasures most about the past year with the national team, he says, are not necessarily related to the games. He cherishes the relationships he's forged with great people.

"I'm just super thankful to have been a part of that team," he said. "It was an amazing experience. I miss it. We had a great group of guys and I'm looking forward to living something like that again, soon.

"It's definitely changed my life.

"The experience is one that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Everything was put together in such a perfect way, from the players to the staff."

When asked about France coach Vincent Collet, M'Baye answered: "I think he has one of the best basketball IQ's out there. He wouldn't have been doing what he has for so long if he did not.

"As far as managing people, he's done that very well. I give him credit and I also give our veterans credit because from day one, everyone's role was set and done without anyone having to say it out loud. I think everybody understands from playing with each other and feeding off of each other. Both our staff and vets have to take credit for that."

M'Baye says if France can replicate the hard work of this past summer and jell again, they will be dangerous in Japan.

"Absolutely," he answered. "I think we have a shot at making something special."

FIBA