Teenager Maledon named in France team for final games of Qualifiers
PARIS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Rising star Theo Maledon is in the France squad for the sixth window of the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
PARIS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Teenage star Theo Maledon is set to make his France senior national team debut after being named in the 12-player team ahead of the final window of the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
Maledon has received big minutes at point guard for French league leaders ASVEL this season and shown flashes of excellence. He scored 20 points in a win over defending champions Le Mans and more recently poured in 18 in a victory over Levallois.
| France 12-player roster for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers | |||
| Andrew Albicy | Axel Bouteille | Ousmane Camara | Axel Julien |
| Alain Koffi | Lahaou Konate | Paul Lacombe | Mathias Lessort |
| Theo Maledon | Amath M'Baye | Amine Noua | Yakuba Ouattara |
Maledon, 17, represented the country at last summer's FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina and was outstanding while helping the team reach the Final.
France's 12-man squad for February FIBA World Cup qualifiers includes Theo Maledon
— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) January 18, 2019
| Eurohoops https://t.co/8apJnLYOr3
France coach Vincent Collet has also included Amath M'Baye of Segafredo Virtus Bologna. M'Baye had 18 points on his national team debut in November's 79-65 victory at the Czech Republic.
Andrew Albicy and Paul Lacombe, who have featured in all of France's games in the Qualifiers, are again in the team.
While Albicy has provided a steady hand at point guard, Lacombe has distinguished himself as one of the best players on defense in the European Qualifiers. His 23 steals rank No. 1 overall.
France, who have already clinched a spot in the 32-team World Cup with nine wins and just one defeat, will play at Finland on February 21 and then wrap up their Qualifiers campaign at home against the Czechs on February 24.
FIBA