French basketball intrigues as much as it attracts attention. On the ground, of course, but also behind the scenes and in the American press. Before answering questions from the French press – including Basket USA, Rudy Gobert detailed the strengths and roots of the tricolor formation at the microphone of the San Antonio Express-News, the essential newspaper of the Alamo City, and of ESPN.
From the bronze of the Spanish World Cup ten years ago to the two silver charms during the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 and those in Paris in 2024: the former interior of Cholet has a total of six medals. Three in silver, as many in bronze. But never gold, the last and only title of French basketball dates back to EuroBasket 2013, in Slovenia.
After discussing the Karl-Anthony Towns – Julius Randle exchange and then the defense of the Wolves with Basket USA, during his visit to the San Francisco Bay at the beginning of December, Rudy Gobert focused on the French team, its frustration during the last Olympics and its future. The native of Saint-Quentin (Aisne) reaffirmed his love for the Blues (“my heart is always with the French team”) and he would not be against the idea of extending his selection lease until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, on the eve of his 36th birthday.
Would you like to participate in the next European Championship (from August 27 to September 14, 2025 in Latvia, Cyprus, Finland and Poland)?
As I was able to say, my heart is always with the French team. Whether I participate or not in the next European Championship will depend on many factors: my health, how I feel at the end of the season. I want to (participate) but I'm not 22 anymore. Because if I come, it's to be at my best and so that I can be myself on the pitch. In recent years, I've done quite a bit so we'll see when the time comes.
“I am convinced that I could have brought more to the team (at the 2024 Olympics), especially in the final”
Were you able to speak with Freddy Fauthoux, the new coach of the French team?
Not yet, but I watched the games in the November international window and saw what they tried to do. He is in the process of establishing the culture he wants us to have in the French team. We'll talk soon, I'm sure.
Looking back, what did you learn from this final phase of the last Olympic Games where you were placed back on the bench?
I was proud of my teammates, especially. I tried to give the team everything I had, both on and off the pitch, as a leader, and on the bench, when I wasn't playing. If such a situation had happened years ago, I might have taken things differently, with more ego. While in these Olympic Games, I am proud to have been able to help the team in many different ways.
I am convinced that I could have brought more to the team, especially in the final. My finger felt a little better than in the quarter and semi-finals. The final is my biggest regret, not having had the chance to enter the field in the 4th quarter. We will never know (what would have happened) but we learn and we continue to move forward. Because anything that's out of my control (like his playing time), I can't dwell on it too much.
“I have a lot of good memories with him. I'm not just going to remember this last competition, because it gave me my chance when I was 22 against the Gasol brothers.”
Your low use in the finish (12 minutes), do you still have it in your throat?
Not really, but I dream of a gold medal. As a competitor, watching the 4th quarter from the bench in a game I've dreamed of since I was little, it's hard. We beat the United States for the first time in the 2019 World Cup and I was on the field. We beat them again in 2021 and I was still on the field. This summer, it was frustrating not to be but once again, these are the coach's choices and I respect him. We cannot remake the world: we can only continue to move forward and continue to progress.
What memories do you have of Vincent Collet?
I have a lot of good memories with him. I'm not just going to remember this last competition, because it gave me my chance when I was 22 years old against the Gasol brothers (Marc and Pau, at the 2014 World Cup). While few people would have placed their trust in me. Since this first competition with the Blues, we have still reversed a lot of “trends” together. Until this Olympic final, he had always trusted me in difficult times. And we got out of improbable situations. We must not forget the six medals that we both had. He was always there to help me progress, to coach me. I'm still grateful.
Do the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 seem inaccessible to you?
No. Who said that? It's a goal. I would love to have that gold medal at some point. This would be the perfect opportunity to have him.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
