FRA - De Colo, Les Bleus look to confirm elite status

TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There is a saying in sports and life that it's harder staying on top than getting to the top.

That will be a challenge for France's national team, which captured its first EuroBasket title last year.

Les Bleus will look to prove that 2013 was not a flash in the pan when they compete at the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer.

France will play in Group A against hosts Spain, Serbia, Brazil, Iran and Egypt.

One of the veterans in the side is guard Nando de Colo.

The Toronto Raptors guard should have a crucial role in the World Cup squad.

"Playing for France is very important to me," De Colo said in an interview with L'Equipe.

"If nothing unexpected arises here (in the NBA), I'm ready to help Les Bleus' World Cup team.

"We don't yet know who will come or not, but I think the team will be competitive."

Starting national team point guard Tony Parker, the MVP of EuroBasket 2013, has yet to decide if he will play this summer for France or skip the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"We'll try to confirm our rise after our victory at the EuroBasket," De Colo said.

"The group is very tough, but we will fight to make a good run."

De Colo’s first summer with the senior national team was 2009, when he helped the side go unbeaten at EuroBasket 2009 before a Quarter-Final defeat to eventual champions Spain.

The 1.96m guard's minutes increased the next year at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, when he averaged 8.8 points and 2.2 assists.

The summer of 2011 was among his best in a France jersey.

In important games against hosts Lithuania and Greece, he poured in 21 and 16 points, respectively.

The French reached the Final and qualified for the Olympics.

At the London Games, De Colo excelled for France in their wins over Argentina and Lithuania.

De Colo, who had a solid career in Europe with Cholet in France and Valencia in Spain, is struggling to establish himself in the NBA.

His wish to leave San Antonio was recently granted, with the Spurs trading him to Toronto.

So far, minutes have been sparse for the 26-year-old with the Raptors.

"For now, I have no choice but to be patient and keep working," De Colo said.

"The team has been doing well for several weeks so it is normal that the coach (Dwane Casey) does not make any changes for the moment.

"He has told me that he is counting on me and trying to find me a place in the rotation.

"I hope it will happen soon because I really look forward to the opportunity to show what I can do. I still have to get used to the systems of the team but I know that I can bring something to the group."

FIBA