Ajinca would savor making Olympic Games debut

NEW ORLEANS (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Alexis Ajinca was a towering presence for France when they captured the EuroBasket 2013 crown. He may be once again this summer, when Les Bleus attempt to reach the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The New Orleans Pelicans center says he is ready, willing and hopeful of playing for his national team when it competes at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila. France will face the Philippines and New Zealand in Group B, with Canada, Senegal and Turkey in Group A. Only the winner of the OQT will reach the Olympics.

A pivotal showdown for France could end up being against Turkey. That would mean an intriguing battle for Ajinca against his fellow Pelican, the giant Turkey center Omer Asik.

"We talk about it often, with my teammate Omer Asik, and about the possibility of playing against each other in Manila," Ajinca said to FIBA.com. "New Zealand players play hard and with a lot of heart, so it is always tough to beat them. They play in a very physical way and we have to be ready from day one. Then we would play against solid teams like Canada, Senegal and/or Turkey who have a lot of talented players."

Nothing will be easy. I don’t know that much about the Philippines and I think it would be a great experience, both on the sport and human sides, to discover the country, their team and their fan base. - Ajinca

Ajinca did not play at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup but had wanted to feature last year when France hosted the EuroBasket. He was in the preliminary squad but got hurt and had to stay away.

France ended up falling to rivals Spain the Semi-Finals, a result that has forced them to compete in the OQT. However, they bounced back with a Bronze Medal Game triumph over Serbia.

The national team had another giant center in Rudy Gobert but Ajinca might have made a big difference. He certainly was important when France played at EuroBasket 2013 and beat Spain in the Semi-Finals and then Lithuania in the championship game.

Alexis Ajinca (FRA) excelled at EuroBasket 2013

"Like every summer," he said, "I am always available to play for the national team. Last year was disappointing for me as I had to withdraw due to an injury, and I want to bounce back. It's hard to say no and not play for your national team."

To feature at an Olympic Games is one of the career objectives for Ajinca. He knows that it was a very special experience for his compatriots 16 years ago when they made a surprising run to the Gold Medal Game. He also watched with a lot of interest in 2012, when France played at the London Games and made it to the Quarter-Finals.

"That would be awesome," he said of qualifying for Rio.

I remember the silver medal won by ‘Les Bleus’ in Sydney in 2000, when our national team went to the Final and lost against the USA. Even if France lost, it was a huge achievement and a great moment for the country basketball’s history. - Ajinca

FIBA