Lauvergne takes aim at third straight medal with France

PARIS (EuroBasket 2015) - Joffrey Lauvergne can have few complaints when it comes to his rapid ascent in basketball. Think about it.

With France's national team, the 23-year-old center has already captured a EuroBasket 2013 title and reached the podium at a FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Now, he's an NBA player.

But, Lauvergne says, the hunger is there for a lot more - especially when it comes to France.

I want more titles and medals - Lauvergne

"I dream about it and I am going to do everything I can do to help the national team keep winning titles and medals," Lauvergne said to FIBA.com.

France have produced so many good basketball players that it's hard to keep track of them all.

When their national team qualified for the London Games in 2011 and then competed at the 2012 Olympics, Lauvergne's name would not have resonated with many people outside his country.

Things can change very quickly for a basketball player, and they certainly did for the 2.11m power forward/center.

At the World Cup, Lauvergne came up huge against Serbia in the Group Phase, drawing a foul with just over a second remaining and making a go-ahead free-throw to win the game.

He does not take any of this for granted, and certainly not his place in the France squad.

"I am going to work hard in order to try to be on the final 12-man list [for EuroBasket 2015]," he said.

"That is one of my goals for this summer."

Being a European champion with France and one of the Euroleague's leading rebounders while a player at Partizan Belgrade in the 2013-14 campaign opened plenty of eyes.

BC Khimki bought out Lauvergne's contract so he could play for them this season in the VTB United League and the EuroCup.

But as the season wore on, he got stuck in a rut.

"Things weren't going very well during my last couple of months at Khimki Moscow and I wanted to go to another team," Lauvergne admitted.

An opportunity to leave for the NBA then presented itself.

The Memphis Grizzlies had selected Lauvergne, a native of Mulhouse, France, late in the second round of the 2013 draft and then traded his rights to Denver.

The Nuggets, out of the playoff hunt this season and looking to build for the future, were able to work out a deal to get Lauvergne in February.

The move was good for all parties: Khimki, Denver and Lauvergne.

For the player, who averaged more than 11 minutes per contest in 24 games, he got a taste of the NBA and a good luck at what was going to be needed to make it in the league for a long time.

"I have to say that the players’ athleticism and the pace of the game is incredible," he said.

"They run and jump all the time.

"I needed some weeks to get used to those aspects of the game but some players really impressed me."

Among them was a former NBA champions with Boston and gold medal winner with the USA at the 2000 Olympics, Kevin Garnett.

"Kevin Garnett is a beast, a leader, and an amazing champion," Lauvergne said.

"He is a bit crazy but he is a real competitor.

"He talks the whole time, cheers for his (Minnesota Timberwolves) teammates and still has an impact on his team.

"I also enjoyed seeing DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers) play.

"He is very physical and he knows exactly what to do as a center: blocks, rebounds, defensive presence.

"He is just huge on the court. He is the most powerful player among the big men in the NBA."

Denver, Lauvergne firmly believes, will give him a chance to play and develop.

"I did the best thing by joining the Nuggets," he said.

"I feel that it's a team where I will keep improving and the project is interesting.

"I had some good games and I had the opportunity to show what I can do on the court.

"I still need to work on some aspects of the game, but I know that I will be better as I’ll keep gaining experience in the league."

The Nuggets will now be hoping that he gets better this summer, after individual work and time with France's national team.

This summer, it will be no small task for any player just to make the Les Bleus squad because France are a host nation for EuroBasket 2015.

I have built some great memories with Les Bleus - Lauvergne

"One thing I am sure of is that the training camp is going to be very intense," Lauvergne said.

"The goal of having a spot on the roster is in everyone's mind as it would be incredible to have the possibility to win the title at home."

Describing himself as a "blue-collar worker," Lauvergne says he will do whatever it takes to make the squad and then win the title on home soil.

"I dream of lifting the trophy on 20 September," he said.

"The competition will be very intense and everybody wants to beat us as we are the current champions, but we want to make history.

"Is there anything better for a sportsman than to win a competition at home, in front of your fans?

"I don't think so.

"I am sure that winning at home could be magical.

"Every French player wants to reach that dream and I hope that I will be living a great moment like that."

Go to eurobasket2015.org for full coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA