FRA – Ajinca, Lombahé-Kahuda axed as Collet names France Twelve

LYON (2010 FIBA World Championship) - France hopefuls Alexis Ajinca and Charles Lombahé-Kahuda failed to make the final 12-man squad for the FIBA World Championship announced by national team boss Vincent Collet.

The coach made his announcement following Tuesday's 79-66 defeat to Brazil in the Villeurbanne International Tournament.

Collet elected to keep big man Ian Mahinmi, despite the Dallas Mavericks youngster carrying a finger injury that is expected to sideline him for at least the first couple of games in Izmir.

"I decided to leave for the World Championship without Alexis and Charles, the last players left out of the group,” Collet said.

Collet stressed that both players are capable, but didn’t figure into the rotation he had in mind.

"This decision has not been easy to take given that both players have been in the state of mind required throughout the preparations," he said.

France will take on Spain, Lithuania, Lebanon, Canada and New Zealand in Group D.

In their last friendly against Brazil, France led 44-39 at half-time but fell away in the second half.

Ali Traore led the French with 16 points in the game.

France squad: Andrew Albicy, Nicolas Batum, Yannick Bokolo, Fabien Causeur, Nando De Colo, Boris Diaw, Mickael Gelabale, Edwin Jackson, Alain Koffi, Ian Mahinmi, Florent Pietrus and Ali Traore.

FIBA