PARIS (France) - The French Basketball Federation has appointed Jean-Aime Toupane as the new head coach of the women's team for an action-packed cycle that could include podium challenges at three flagship tournaments.

France will be expected to punch their ticket to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, as well as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Subject to a FIBA Central Board decision, the French men's and women's national teams may receive automatic entry to the Paris 2024 Olympics as event hosts.

Taking over from Valerie Garnier, who exited having guided the team to a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a fifth successive silver medal at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, the 63-year-old will be assisted by the legendary Cathy Melain. 

Jean-Pierre Siutat, the President of the French Basketball Federation commented: "The French women's team is taking a new direction with the appointment of Jean-Aime Toupane at its head."

"We are convinced that he will be able to lead Le Bleues to the highest level, up to our ambitions, three years before the Olympic Games in Paris, with a former player then coach like Cathy Melain assisting him," he said.

"Jean-Aime has experience, a perfect knowledge of the top level and a culture of winning - essential for such a position. He seemed to us to be a very good profile to succeed Valerie Garnier, whom I would like to congratulate once again on her magnificent record."

Toupane is a former player who competed in Pro A with the likes of  Monaco, Mulhouse and Gravelines. He then moved into coaching and has spent much of his recent career working with the Federation and overseeing youth teams. He is also the father of Axel Toupane, a recent NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, and a French international.

His first task will be to oversee the opening window of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers next month, followed by the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments next February. 

FIBA