Nicolas Batum played his last game with the national team of France on Saturday night, when the hosts lost to Team USA in the Final of the Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris (87-98).
It was a rematch of the gold medal match in Tokyo back in 2021, where the Americans had prevailed again. For his part, Nicolas Batum announced that it is time for him to leave the national team after 15 years.
“It was a weird tournament for us. So that was amazing. I have been playing for 15 years for this team and this is the craziest, weirdest tournament I have ever played at with this team. We can have some regret. We can be proud of ourselves. It’s a mix of emotions but on the podium with a medal around our neck, we can be proud of that. We got a medal and it was a crazy journey for us and a crazy couple of weeks but we are still here so we can be proud any way. After 15 years in this team, it’s time for me to leave my spot to the younger generation,” the veteran forward told media after Saturday’s Final, via FIBA.com.
Nicolas Batum has won a total of seven medals with the national team of France, namely three bronze (2014, 2015, 2019), three silver (2011, 2020, 2024) and one gold (2013).
In the 2024 Olympic Basketball Tournament, he had averages of 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, on 43.2 percent from shooting.
