Mathias Lessort discusses rehabilitation routine, moving from Partizan to PAO / News - Basketnews.com

Mathias Lessort is trying to make a comeback with France, although his presence in the World Cup remains questionable. The Frenchman talked about how he spends his days off practice and what prompted him to leave Partizan for Panathinaikos.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Mathias Lessorthas been selected among the 12 players who will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia for the World Cup group stage. However, his participation withFrench NTin the big tournament is far from certain.

The big man is carrying an ankle sprain and has been getting treatment since his teammates started training camp, more than ten days ago. CoachVincent Collet called Yoan Makoundou as a training partner and still keeps Yves Pons on his toes in case Lessort will not be available.

"It's the medical staff that always decides," Collet said via Basketeurope. "We remain cautious, as usual. We decided to spare him, in agreement with the medical staff, and subsequently, we reacted by calling Yoan Makoundou. I had said that Mathias would be back in Orleans, but in the end he didn't. So I'm not going to give a new return date."

According to SDNA's Giorgos Zakkas, Lessort's recent medical tests indicated that the player should remain sidelined for two more weeks in a development that essentially rule out his World Cup chances. Last Friday, the French international center underwent the customary medical tests. The results were clean, with the exception of a severe ankle sprain that Lessort had suffered while in France.

Per the same report, Panathinaikos have come to an agreement with the French federation and the player that he be cut from the World Cup squad in order to prepare for the next season, his first with the Greek side.

As the French squad is now in Orleans for a couple of prep games againstVenezuela on Monday and Lithuania on Wednesday, Lessort declared his desire to join the squad, even though he won't be able to play in those outings.

Talking to the media in attendance, the former Partizan and current Panathinaikos player talked about his condition and also his recent career move. Lessort didn't disperse rumors of a forfeit, as reported by SDNA earlier on Sunday, but he called his injury "a common sprain, maybe a little more serious."

"I'm making progress little by little, things have been much better since last week," he clarified.

"I do a lot of treatments with the physiotherapists of the team. I was already injured when I arrived for training camp," he said.

Lessort added "it's really frustrating to only have to watch matches and practices."

"I really want to participate in an event like the World Cup. The tournament is quite short compared to a club season. The deadlines are also short so it is all the more difficult. I take part in video sessions, I do my rehabilitation program during practices," he described.

This summer marks Lessort's return to the Blues since 2019. The center said he's matured a lot since the last World Cup he played.

"I have evolved according to the clubs and coaches with whom I have been able to play and my role has also changed. Patience, game reading, experience... I'm calmer, these are skills I've acquired since."

Lessort was asked about the process of leaving Partizan for Panathinaikos and whether he has any regrets.

"It was a complicated choice. I didn't want to leave Partizan but the fact of joining Panathinaikos and finding a project similar to the one I had - a club that wants to reach the top, which signs great players while giving me playing time – motivates me. We also know that it can get crazy in Athens with the fans and two rival clubs. I can't wait to see OAKA on fire, like it was in Partizan," he stressed.

At 28 years and after all some great performances that made him an All-EuroLeague First Team selection last year, Lessort doesn't give up on the NBA dream. However, he's not losing sleep over it either.

"I don't get up in the morning dreaming of going to play in the NBA. I'm happy to go to Panathinaikos," he pointed out.

"If it's a springboard for the NBA, so much the better, but my goal is quite simply to be the best teammate possible every day, to help my team, to fit into the coach's system, to understand what he wants me.

We'll see what doors it opens for me. I admit that I don't even know who has my rights," he said.

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.