By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Orlando Magic and French national team wing Evan Fournier commented on the many players that have withdrawn from the training camp of Team USA ahead of the 2019 World Cup (China, 31/8 – 15/9).
“Many who have withdrawn have just signed their new contract. There must often be a deal with their team,” Fournier said in an interview with L’Equipe.” What is surprising, is that guys who have never made the national team, refuse.”
Team USA has been dominating major international competitions and winning the gold medal in every big summer tournament following their semifinal loss to Greece in the 2006 World Cup.
Fournier believes that this has caused a certain lack of “motivation” for USA players that don’t feel threatened by any other national team.
“But, after all, what can you tell them? They are always beating national teams. Why would they be motivated? Do you really think they are jealous of us? As long as we’re not beating them…” Fournier said.
Fournier and France won the bronze medal in the 2014 World Cup despite playing minus team superstar Tony Parker plus Nando De Colo. “Les Bleus” had advanced to the semifinals by defeating host Spain 65 – 52 in a knockout quarterfinal match.
“Absolutely,” Fournier answered when asked if the 2014 tournament should be a reference point ahead of this year’s tournament. “We weren’t expected, we were a group of young people, on whom no one believed. In the end, we focused on each match, we beat Spain at home and managed to create something.”