Lessort eyes challenging French call-up alongside Gobert and Wembanyama / News - Basketnews.com

One of the EuroLeague MVP candidates, Mathias Lessort, says France has the deepest national team outside the US.

Credit: Igokea m:tel/Marija Vuruna Credit Igokea m:tel/Marija Vuruna

Typically, being one of the top players in the EuroLeague secures a spot on a European national team. But for Mathias Lessort, the star of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, it's not that simple.

Despite his dominant season and MVP candidacy, Lessort is facing a challenge in getting a place on the talented French national team under coach Vincent Collet.

"I keep the same mentality. I don't think that far ahead. I'm focused on doing my stuff in Partizan. Which is to play as well as I can and help my team win as many games as we can. And then, of course, this is going to open some doors for me," Lessort responded to BasketNews when asked about his chances of making the French national team roster.

Despite not looking too far ahead, Lessort is well aware of the depth of the French frontcourt.

NBA star Rudy Gobert already anchors the starting five center position.

Victor Wembanyama, projected to be the best No. 1 draft pick ever, is also eager to play for France.

And if Joel Embiid decides to represent France, their frontcourt will be stacked.

"Outside of the USA probably, France has the deepest roster in the world right now," Lessort admitted to BasketNews.

"I believe we have a lot of players in any position. Especially inside, we're really packed. You named these players, and you didn't even mention Vincent Poirier, Moustapha Fall, or Guerschon Yabusele. All these players are playing great. These are big names," Lessort added.

Lessort represented France in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and contributed to the team's bronze medal win with 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

He also served his country in three different qualification campaigns.

"Last year, they had a silver medal in the Eurobasket. It tells how good they are. We have a big deep roster. But if this will open the door for me, and if I'm called for the national team, I would be very happy to do it. If not, it is what it is," Lessort weighed in on his odds to be called up for the French national team.

Lessort isthe second most efficient player in the EuroLeague with a 20.3 performance index rating (PIR).

Not only is Lessort tied for the best overall rebounder in the tournament, with 7.2 rebounds per game, but he also leads in offensive boards with 3.3 ORP.

On defense, his one block per game solidifies his status as one of the top rim protectors in the league.

He's converting 69% of his field goals and ranks 21st among the best EuroLeague scorers (12.7 PPG).

In the first 22 games of the season, Lessort has consistently recorded a double-digit PIR. For comparison, the longest-ever streak of 10+ PIR was set by Nikola Mirotic with 28 games.

"He plays like a guy who's on an open contract. Like he had a one-day deal, and every day, Partizan has the option to renew the deal. That's the energy and consistency he's bringing,"Errick McCollum summed it up on the URBONUS podcast.

"I've never seen anybody who plays like he's never tired. I don't know what he's drinking, but he needs to stick with that because this guy has an unbelievable motor," McCollum added.

Mathias Lessort talks about his future in Partizan, shares his top 3 MVP candidates

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