PARIS (France) – The upcoming Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 will see France looking to make a splash on home soil with a third medal in four editions.
The last time the Games were in Europe (London 2012), they made the Final for the first time. At Tokyo 2020 they landed an impressive bronze medal.
What does this vital 'home edition' hold for a team that surely has enough depth and options on the court and passionate local support off the court? Will they post another deep ride at the Games?
The Roster
Absolutely stacked with talent, it's a terrific French roster and headlined by the one and only Marine Johannes. Back for the first time at a major tournament since Tokyo 2020, the poster baller will be a difference-maker with her offensive contributions - whether scoring or passing the rock with flair.
The backcourt will also have the highly talented Marine Fauthoux to pull the strings, with the experienced Sarah Michel Boury also likely to be important and especially defensively.
Winger Gabby Williams has been such a standout when wearing a national team vest in the last few years.
Like Johannes, she also missed the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 and was a top performer at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.
Valeriane Ayayi has been balling brilliantly and her physical approach and length will also be important in the small forward or forward spot. Alexia Chery is rock solid and reliable option too, with Marieme Badiane having more of an impact each time. Meanwhile Janelle Salaun comes off the back of a great season in EuroLeague Women.
The future is now when it comes to under the basket with center pairing Iliana Rupert and teenage sensation Dominique Malonga getting fans off the edge of their seats.
The Question
Can they deal with the pressure and what is sometimes very much the weight of expectation placed on a host nation?
The fans are going to give their favorites so much support and that can go one of two ways. It can and should inspire France to great things. You can imagine the likes of Johannes in particular putting on a show and thriving from the attention and opportunity to shine.
But equally, it can also cause some teams to get 'stage fright' in the big moments.
The Hope
Malonga is a sensational prospect who is already contributing and that was evidenced by her role at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Xi'An earlier this year. She also did some amazing things in preparation too.
They say that timing is everything in life and it just so happens that this brilliant young player has made the transition to the senior team at the same time as the legendary Sandrine Gruda misses her anticipated Olympic swansong.
A towering presence physically. with a crazy wingspan and athleticism, Malonga can dunk and as she matures in terms of her skills, she really could end up being an absolute colossus in time.
The Fear
France have a lot of talent and a lot of players who entertain -so much is obvious.
They also have a lot of size, strength and athleticism. But there is an irony in that despite having what should be imposing qualities physically, their collective appetite for rebounding sometimes falls short.
It was a big concern on their last major global outing at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 when they were the worst offensive rebounding team in Sydney. They only collected a mind-blowingly low seven per game.
The need to make sure they don't sleepwalk in these critical elements as it could come back to bite them if there is a repeat.
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