2024-09-17 08:43:26
A silver medal at the Paris Olympics as a farewell gift. Nicolas Batum officially announced his international retirement on Monday evening in a message posted on social networks. The 35-year-old French winger has confirmed, as previously announced, that the home Olympics is indeed his last match with the French basketball team.
“20 years of my life with this blue dress. From my first senior pick against Austria to my last against Team USA, including my 100th with this red jersey. It’s time for me to close this big chapter and pass the baton to a new generation,” he wrote in a long message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Writing part of the history of French basketball”
“Blue and proud forever” in his words of his 177 selections with the Blues who were crowned with two silver medals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo then Paris, but also the title of the European Championship in 2013, and two 3rd place in World Cup (2014, 2019). “Putting on the France shirt is the best thing that has happened to me in my career, I will be forever grateful. I am proud to contribute to writing a part of French basketball history,” he explained.
The international retirement of Nicolas Batum followed that of his long-time teammate in blue Nando de Colo but also the departure of coach Vincent Collet. With a real generational shift to come by one Victor Wembanyama. “Now for the youngsters,” warned the man called “Batman”. The French team is in good hands and I know this outfit will continue to shine. »
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