''I've missed the national team jersey,'' says Batum after successful return for beloved France

TUZLA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - There was a familiar and reassuring presence on the court for France in their convincing victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.

Much to the delight of French players and fans, star swingman Nicolas Batum made a successful return for his beloved national team to highlight Les Bleus' crushing 102-52 win and continue their unbeaten record in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

It was the 29-year-old’s first game for France since the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and, in typical fashion, he filled the stat sheet with 9 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds in a team-high 24 minutes.

In a rare break from international basketball, Batum missed last year's FIBA EuroBasket where powerhouses France struggled and were knocked out in the Round of 16. 

A long-time warrior for his country, Batum had played for France annually since he was a teenager but elected to skip EuroBasket and have a rest ahead of the 2017-18 NBA season.

The Charlotte Hornets swingman highlights a formidable France line-up for the third window which also includes NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, captain Boris Diaw and Nando De Colo.

Batum was delighted to return to France's lineup after a two-year absence.

“It was good, especially because the last time I played, I finished on a bad note (0 points and 0 rebounds in France's 92-67 loss to Spain in the Quarter-Finals at Rio)," he said. “I've missed the blue (French national team) jersey these last two years but last year (not playing) did me some good. I needed time with my family.”

Having not played an official game since Charlotte's season ended in April as they missed the playoffs, Batum admitted he was rusty early before making an impact through his trademark versatility.

“In the first half, I was getting into gear because I hadn't played a real game in two months,” he said. “You can practice but nothing compares to a real game. I had a rough start, I felt better in the second half.”

Batum’s team-high 8 assists fueled France’s fluid ball movement as they sliced up Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense in a scintillating display.

“We moved the ball well. Collectively, we got the job done, we scored 100 points but only conceded just over 50,” he pointed out. “We knew it could be a tricky game if we allowed them to gain confidence... but we put an end to that right from the start. Paul Lacombe, Mous Fall, Andrew Albicy, Vincent Poirier proved in this game that they can aspire to be in the team for the World Cup.”

France will complete the third window when they face Russia in Krasnodar on Monday in a highly-anticipated encounter between the top two teams in Group E.

“It is another great team with almost all its good players,” Batum said of Russia.  "(Timofey) Mozgov will be there now and this team gave France a lot of problems during the first game. It is going to be difficult in a different kind of atmosphere.

"It's up to us to play a great game, to be consistent on defense for 40 minutes, move the ball in offense and get a win,” he added. 

FIBA