National team of France has confirmed changes to its roster ahead of the upcoming FIBA World Cup. Isaia Cordinier will replace the injured Frank Ntilikina, while Vincent Poirier steps in for Mathias Lessort.
Cordinier will step in for Ntilikina, who got injured in a friendly match against Lithuania.
The French team opted to call up Virtus player Cordinier, who accepted the invitation. He will travel to Japan tomorrow.
À la suite du forfait de Frank Ntilikina, Vincent Collet et ses assistants ont appelé Isaïa Cordinier pour participer à la @FIBAWC.
— Équipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) August 13, 2023
Vincent Poirier rejoint les Bleus en attendant le rétablissement complet de Mathias Lessort. #TeamFranceBasket | #PassionnémentBleu | #FIBAWC
Cordinier isn’t the only addition to the French squad. Alongside him, Vincent Poirier will also travel on Monday. Poirier replaces Lessort due to uncertainties about his injury. If Lessort recovers, Panathinaikos’ new center will take Poirier’s place.
Reportedly, Rodrigue Beaubois declined Collet’s invitation and will be remembered as one of the best players who never played for the French national team.
In Japan, the team will face the home team and Australia. Lessort traveled to Athens last week for medical evaluations with his new team’s doctors, and his rehabilitation process will continue in Paris.
The current roster includes: Nando De Colo, Elie Okobo, Terry Tarpey, Yakuba Outtara, Evan Fournier, Sylvain Francisco, Nicolas Batum, Guerschon Yabusele, Moustapha Fall, Rudy Gobert, and Yoan Makoundou.
France is in Group H with Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon.
The World Cup is scheduled from August 25 to September 10.