By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The General manager of the French national team Boris Diaw commented on the Thomas Heurtel case and affirmed that the player isn’t “scratched” from the team of France, contrary to the remarks made by Jean-Pierre Siutat.
The president of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) Jean-Pierre Siutat had said that things were over between Thomas Heurtel and the France team after the player joined Zenit Saint Petersburg.
“Concerning Thomas, to whom we had presented things clearly, he did not respect his commitment. To date, for me, I consider he will no longer be there (in the France national team). It’s over”, Jean-Pierre Siutat said.
But Boris Diaw has a different opinion. “He is neither scratched nor in the France team, either. We are not there yet. We can only talk about it now, but decisions will have to be made for the future,” the GM of the Blues noted.
Heurtel joined Zenit Saint Petersburg 72 hours after the EuroBasket’s final loss against Spain. He responded in an Instagram story to criticism over signing in Russia.
The veteran playmaker inked for one year, plus another optional with the Russian club. He could end his stay with Zenit after this season, and become available for the national team next summer, with a view to the 2023 World Cup.
The silver medalist from the previous EuroBasket played eight games in VTB League, scoring 9,8 points, with 7,6 assists on average. Zenit currently has a 6-2 score and is sitting behind CSKA and Unics in the standings (both have 8-0 scores).