PARIS (France) - Sarah Michel Boury has played her last basketball game after the guard confirmed she was retiring and leaving on a high after capturing a silver medal on home soil at Paris 2024.
The captain of France during the past couple of years, Michel Boury made a huge contribution to the national team and stepped out for her country in an impressive 145 games.
Debuting in 2015, she packed a lot into nine years representing her country, finishing with six medals - netting an Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2020 as well as in Paris, while also winning three silvers at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket in 2015, 2017, 2021 and a bronze in 2023.
Also appearing at two editions of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, her defensive capabilities in particular were a driving force behind France regularly competing for podium places on the global stage.
"It's hard to accept, to make it official, because I still feel capable of playing. But it's the right time." - Michel Boury
At times she was overshadowed by some of her more prominent teammates, but plenty were lining up to pay tribute when she made her announcement.
"She is an incredible captain and an even more incredible person," stressed Valeriane Ayayi.
Meanwhile Marine Johannes added: "It was just special for us too to experience this with her. She really had a very, very great career.
Also a big favorite at club level for an array of top French clubs, she first won silverware with Valenciennes back in 2007.
Michel Boury ended her career with Bourges Basket earlier this year and is able to reflect on no fewer than 11 French Championship and Cup titles.
FIBA