France NT star players and coach weigh in on Joel Embiid joining the squad in the future / News - Basketnews.com

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Having acquired the French citizenship this summer,Joel Embiid could claim a place in theFrench national teamfor the EuroBasket due to a hand injury.

Joel Embiid

Position:CAge:28Height:213 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Yaounde, CameroonProfileNewsStatistics

But the question of his presence in the jersey of the Blues led several members of the France team to speak on the subject this Tuesday in front of the press.

"Since it's not news, we don't think about it. He's not in the squad, he has not been called up. We'll talk about it when the time comes. Maybe before the World Cup", Evan Fournier told the media on Tuesday.

"It's something that's complicated because there are so many factors and elements for anyone to say that they're against or for. When the time comes, we'll all talk to each other and we'll make a decision. Joel has a very good approach at the moment. We'll see how it goes."

Rudy Gobert, who could form a dream duo with the Sixers big man, is rather diplomatic.

"He's an incredible player. There are lots of things to think about. Joel is a unique player and we have a team that is already well-knit. A group that lives well together. You have to see how it might work for the group."

Some weeks ago, Gobert said "there's no player in the world like Joel Embiid. So yes, I would like to see him one day with the jersey of the French team. It is up to the coach (Vincent Collet) to make this decision.

But no one can really say no to a talent like him. As long as it sticks to our team, our chemistry and our principles of play, and he is ready to adapt to it, he can be a very nice weapon for us," the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year said.

If the decision to select Embiid will obviously not be made without the validation of the executives of the France team, it will ultimately be up to the staff of the 2021 Olympic silver medalists to decide.

"When he becomes 100% eligible, both for physical and bureaucratic reasons, I don't see why I wouldn't select him. We have always, as much as possible, taken the best players. He definitely falls into that category," Vincent Collet argued.

"There was also a question of timing, but he would have liked him to play this summer. If he had been selected this summer, we would have asked ourselves the question", added Boris Diaw, the Blues' team manager.

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