No Noah, no problem for France

PARIS (EuroBasket 2015) - The confirmation this weekend by Joakim Noah that his long-awaited return to the national team mix will not materialise this summer, has not triggered any alarm bells in France.

That's not to say that the reigning EuroBasket champions would not have loved to see the 30-year-old Chicago Bulls center pull on a national team jersey in September's big event on home soil, four years after he played in his first and only tournament with France.

The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) indeed made all possible efforts to facilitate Noah's return to Les Bleus for EuroBasket 2015.

After asking every international player to confirm by the start of April whether they are willing to be included in the extended preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2015 and following meetings in the USA with the Chicago star, the FFBB gave Noah all the necessary time to consider his posture by extending the deadline for a few days.

Even after Noah declared in March that the national team is not a priority in his career, France head coach Vincent Collet stated that the Bulls center was a fundamental piece of their EuroBasket 2011 campaign and that France would most probably not have conquered the silver medal without him.

On Friday night though, FFBB technical director Patrick Beesley informed Collet that he would definitely not be able to count on Noah for the upcoming EuroBasket.

"I spoke with Joakim Noah on the phone in the late afternoon," Beesley said in a statement.

Vincent Collet and myself take note of his decision, which we respect, of course. - Beesley

"As agreed, he gave me his answer as to his availability for the EuroBasket.

"Having had more time to reflect on it, Joakim told me that his current physical problems do not allow him to make a final decision to go fully available for selection.

"He has therefore signalled his withdrawal.

"The coach and I will announce a list of 24 players on Saturday 2 May."

While disappointing, this development is not going to blemish that preliminary roster announcement.

Partly because, as Noah himself commented over the weekend, there is a French center who turned heads at last September's FIBA Basketball World Cup and has gone on to have a breakout season with the Utah Jazz.

Rudy Gobert has even entered the conversation for the 'Most Improved Player' award in his second season in the NBA, as he is averaging 8.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and a fantastic 2.3 blocks per game and has earned a place in Utah's starting line-up.

He [Rudy Gobert] deserves to have a great EuroBasket in France and I hope it will happen. - Noah

"Gobert has shown that he can play," Noah told L'Equipe.

"This is a very confident kid, he has impressive athleticism, he is dedicated, he is physical.

"Playing with France last year [at the World Cup] gave him a lot of confidence, he held the fort there.

"And then he earned respect with his season at Utah, it is great.

"With Gobert, the French team is in good hands."

In fact, barring of course any unforeseen injury problems, France and coach Collet could be spoilt for choice at the center position.

Unlike at the World Cup, Alexis Ajinca, who has had a very solid season at New Orleans Pelicans, and Kevin Seraphin, who is playoff-bound with the Washington Wizards, will be available for national team duty this summer.

Ian Mahinmi of the Indiana Pacers and the veteran Ali Traore, who is having an excellent campaign under Collet at Pro A leaders Strasbourg, will also make a strong bid to earn a place on the EuroBasket roster, while Johan Petro made a valuable contribution from the bench in the gold medal success of EuroBasket 2013.

Last but not least, Joffrey Lauvergne proved more than convincingly at the World Cup that while he is primarily a power forward, he can cover the '5' spot whenever required.

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

FIBA