By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dallas Mavericks point guard Frank Ntilikina will not play for France in the 2022 EuroBasket nor the next batch of 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers fixtures, the French Federation of Basketball announced Friday.
Ntilikina, 24, became the fourth player after Andrew Albicy, Moustapha Fall and Victor Wembanyama, falling to injury since the initial list of selections was released by FFBB. Head coach Vincent Collet does not intend to call up a replacement but Ismael Kalagate selected 46th overall in the 2022 NBA draft, is expected to come in providing an additional body for the training camp.
France’s remaining selections:
Isaia Cordinier (Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
Evan Fournier (New York Knicks)
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Thomas Heurtel
William Howard (Joventut)
Mouhammadou Jaiteh (Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Atlanta Hawks)
Theo Maledon (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Amath M’Baye (Anadolu Efes)
Elie Okobo (AS Monaco)
Vincent Poirier (Real Madrid)
Terry Tarpey (Le Mans)
Guerschon Yabusele (Real Madrid)
At the top end of the home-and-away friendly series, France is set to resume action by taking on Italy tonight, Friday in Bologna. The return game follows in Montpelier Tuesday. Another prep game in Montpelier opposite Belgium wraps up friendly action Thursday.
Shifting into Group K of the World Cup European Qualifiers, the team guided by Collet will collide with the Czech Republic and Lithuania on 24 and 27 August, respectively. In a quick turnaround to EuroBasket, matchups opposite Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Slovenia in Cologne shape the Group B schedule from 1 to 7 September.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL