World Cup Qualifiers a dream come true for France debutant Lacombe
ROUEN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Paul Lacombe has made the most of his France senior national team debut in an official competition and is keen to build upon it.
ROUEN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Paul Lacombe has made the most of his France senior national team debut in an official competition and is keen to build upon it.
The 27-year-old shooting guard had 13 points to help the French overcome a 13-point deficit and beat plucky Belgium 70-59 in their opening game in Antwerp on Friday.
"It's like a dream coming true," Lacombe said of playing for his country. "To think that I've put a foot in this team is something extraordinary and as I've already said it's a source of great pride. The Qualifiers are definitely a great opportunity for me."
The 6ft 5in sharpshooter is making the most of the opportunity to showcase his talents with a number of regular French players ruled out for these Qualifiers.
"I've never had the level to be on this team, the level to wear the national team jersey. And whenever I might potentially have had the level to be on the team there were far better players," he explained.
"It's never been a frustration, far from it. It's always been a goal but never a frustration because I keep my feet on the ground and I know my level. It's even better for the French team that there are talented players."
"TO THINK I'VE PUT A FOOT IN THIS TEAM IS SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AND A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE. THE QUALIFIERS ARE DEFINITELY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME." Lacombe
Having so many new faces on the team isn't necessarily all bad and can serve as an advantage of sorts, Lacombe pointed out, as France look ahead to facing Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday in Rouen.
"Many of us are new players and I think the wins will come as a result of our desire, our selflessness and the sacrifice which all come as a result of our mindset," he said. "Those were the coach's first words and we know we have to go through that to just hope to win. It will be a very good thing if we do just that to show that we can exist."
Lacombe heaped praise on France coach Vincent Collet, his former club mentor who's been in charge of the national team since 2011.
"Vincent Collet and I have known each other for a long time. He helped me grow at ASVEL before calling me over to Strasbourg. He taught me basketball," the 6ft 5in (1.95m) sharpshooter said. "I know him by heart, I know what he expects from me and I know what he expects from a team on the court.
"It takes pressure off, it removes any apprehension. He's got a special relationship with young players that he's brought through the ranks and for him it's a huge source of pride to get the chance to call up some of those players to the national team."
FIBA