Fournier fully engaged on playing for France

ORLANDO (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Evan Fournier has decided to let bygones be bygones and to play for France at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

The Orlando Magic sharpshooter, who missed last summer's triumphant FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign and was then disappointed when national team boss Vincent Collet did not add him to the roster for the Rio de Janeiro Games, has informed the Les Bleus coach he will play.

Fournier made his choice after the NBA Regular Season, he said in an interview with L'Equipe, on a trip in the American west when he also asked his girlfriend to marry him.

"In order to be able to think, I needed a mental break, to cut myself off from the world," Fournier said. "It's what I did after the Regular Season. I turned my phone off, I didn't have any internet for a week. I went away with my girlfriend, Laura - my future wife, in fact, as during the trip I went down on one knee (and proposed).

"I exchanged a lot with her. We walked in Utah's national parks, the Southern Park and Bryce Canyon, where it feels like you're walking on Mars.

"Some days we walked 18 km (11 mi). All of this soothed my spirit. When you're in places like these, it puts everything else in perspective."

And one of the conclusions that Fournier came to was that he cares deeply about representing his country.

"The French national team, it's so important," he said. "I decided I couldn't waste that for things that I have no control over. I had to be smarter than that."

Fournier says he made a telephone call to tell Collet of his decision, that he would be available for the EuroBasket campaign that will see France play in Group A in Helsinki.

I know what I'm worth and what I can do. Beyond that, do I feel I'm ready to have big responsibilities? I think you know the answer.

Evan Fournier

"That was very quick, no longer than 10 minutes," Fournier said of the conversation. "My decision was made when I called. I just wanted to announce I was coming. He seemed happy."

He admits there was a time during the season when he almost ruled out playing for France.

"I did not appreciate what the Director of the National Team Patrick Beesley said in the media ("The door is open for Evan, but I don't want to beg him. There has to be rules in the French national team," Beesley had said on French radio station RMC on April 10) while I was in the middle of my thought process," he said. "When I heard that, I told myself it's as good as over. You get to a point where you become paranoid and you ask yourself if you're wanted."

Now that he is in, Fournier figures to have a prominent role. France need some players to step up this summer. They entered a new era after the final buzzer of their Quarter-Final defeat to Spain at the Olympics. That game was the last in international basketball for Tony Parker, Florent Pietrus and Mickael Gelabale.

Fournier helped France reach the EuroBasket 2015 podium

Nicolas Batum's decision not to play for France this summer has left Collet without another important player for the EuroBasket. Fournier says Batum's unavailability and the potential of increased minutes with the side did not influence his decision.

"Not at all," he said. "It's personal. It's not an "opportunity" (with Batum not playing). Even with everyone, other years, I could have done bigger things.

"My role has always been restrained with Les Bleus. I played the FIBA World Cup 2014 and FIBA EuroBasket 2015 as a player off the bench. I never complained and I'm ready for any situation. I know what I'm worth and what I can do. Beyond that, do I feel I'm ready to have big responsibilities? I think you know the answer."

Fournier brings some offensive punch to France. He averaged more than 17 points per game this season for Orlando.

FIBA