Yves Pons joins French national team / News - Basketnews.com

Mathias Lessort has ankle discomfort. Yves Pons has been called up to replace him for the first friendly game against Tunisia.

Credit: dpa/picture-alliance - Scanpix Credit dpa/picture-alliance - Scanpix

Mathias Lessort is still unable to train with the French national team and remains questionable for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023.

Mathias Lessort

Position:CAge:27Height:206 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Martinique, FranceProfileNewsStatistics

In his absence, the French Basketball Federation has announced that Yves Pons, a former ASVEL forward, will step in and take his place in the 12-man squad. Pons will at least participate in France's first friendly game against Tunisia.

Lessort, with 28 French NT appearances under his belt, hasn't been able to participate in any training sessions since arriving in Pau and the start of the training camp.

The medical staff has conducted tests and identified discomfort in his ankle, necessitating proper care and rest to ensure a full recovery.

As a result, the Panathinaikos Athens off-season addition will not be available for the first two FIBA World Cup 2023 preparation games, scheduled against Tunisia in Pau on Monday and Montenegro in Montpellier on Wednesday.

His condition will be reassessed on August 6, just before another two friendly games scheduled in Orleans against Venezuela on August 7 and Lithuania on August 9.

France will play seven preparation games ahead of World Cup and face Tunisia, Montenegro, Venezuela, Lithuania (twice), Japan, and Australia.

France announces 12-man roster for 2023 FIBA World Cup France friendly games schedule for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

France FIBA World Cup preparation schedule

Date Opponent Location July 31st Tunisia Pau, France August 2nd Montenegro Montpellier, France August 7th Venezuela Orleans, France August 9th Lithuania Orleans, France August 11th Lithuania Vilnius, Lithuania August 17th Japan Tokyo, Japan August 20th Australia Tokyo, Japan Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.