Opportunities Beckon For France Candidates

There will be an opportunity for those Les Bleues players operating under the basket to impress in next month's EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying games with big-hitters Sandrine Gruda and Isabelle Yacoubou both absent.

Head coach Valerie Garnier will rely on the leadership of former Tango Bourges favourite Endene Miyem to carry the weight after the 27-year-old fired 19 points per game in last November's wins against Estonia and Netherlands.

The play-caller will also be hopeful two of her current Bourges players in Helena Ciak and Ana Filip will both also be able to step up for tricky looking road trips to Croatia and Estonia - the latter missed out with an injury last time.

Meanwhile there will also be two Villeneuve d'Ascq candidates looking to make a splash in the paint, in the shape of Marielle Amant and rising star Aby Gaye.

As well as the absence of Gruda and Yacoubou, there is no place for regular winger Diandra Tchatchouang, who has suffered a season-ending injury.

That means opportunity also knocks for Valeriane Ayayi who could be an ‘X-Factor' player in the three-spot if she can persuade Garnier to hand her another chance. She has been performing well this season with current LFB leaders Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration.

Olivia Epoupa is back having sat out with injury in recent months, while the '93 and '94 born Sara Chevaugeon and Marieme Badiane both get an invite too.

France 16-Player Roster:

Marielle Amant, Valeriane Ayayi, Marieme Badiane, Sara Chevaugeon, Helena Ciak, Celine Dumerc, Olivia Epoupa, Ana Filip, Aby Gaye, Mariane Johannes, Laetitia Kamba, Sarah Michel, Endene Miyem, Paoline Salagnac, Gaelle Skrela, Ingrid Tanqueray

FIBA