By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Before arriving in Paris on Monday in anticipation of the NBA match against Chicago this Thursday at Bercy, the Detroit Pistons‘ Killian Hayes confirmed to L’Équipe that he intends to play for the French national team.
Still, he’s aware that nothing will be just given to him.
“I feel ready and want to be part of this group. Still, your place is not given. You have to fight for it. I discussed, particularly with Nicolas Batum, my state of mind and the training camp planned for this summer. I want to do it, and I want to train with the France team and try to earn my place,” the talented point guard explained.
Former Cholet and Ratiopharm Ulm player knows that competition is fierce, but he is ready to give his best for France.
“There are a lot of players who have been there for years. It’s all going to come down to training camp this summer. I’m going to play and learn the team’s game and the systems in place, and we’ll see. But there is already a very good group. Let’s see if I can add anything. It will be up to me to adapt to what they do.”
Hayes already had a couple of successful stints with the youth selections, winning a gold medal at the U16 European Championship in 2017 and silver at U17 World Cup in 2018. He is very eager to compete in the A selection.
“Nothing is done for the moment, but I can’t wait,” Hayes concluded.
National team manager Vincent Collet also said to L’Équipe that he is enthusiastic about the progress of the young playmaker and added that Killian Hayes “is clearly in his thoughts.”
Detroit Pistons drafted the 21-year-old French-American player with the 7th overall pick in 2020. He played 136 games in the NBA and is averaging 10 points and 5,7 assists per match this season.