France Announces Preliminary Roster for 2024 Olympics, Led by Victor Wembanyama

With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, France head coach Vincent Collet has unveiled an extended list of 19 players for his preliminary roster, spearheaded by NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics intensifies, France head coach Vincent Collet has released an extended preliminary roster of 19 players, featuring the towering presence of NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama, fresh from claiming the NBA Rookie of the Year award, will spearhead France's medal aspirations alongside a core of experienced veterans, including Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, and Evan Fournier. Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and Wembanyama, who narrowly missed out on the award, form a formidable defensive duo that will be instrumental to France's success.

"The key to building the team will be establishing an uncompromising defense," Collet emphasized at a press conference. "We have profiles that excel in this area."

Among the notable additions to the roster are NBA players Bilal Coulibaly, Ousmane Dieng, and Killian Hayes. Compensating for the absence of long-time point guard Thomas Heurtel, who has been left out due to his Russian club affiliation, the list features five point guards.

The French team, which earned a silver medal in Tokyo, will face a demanding schedule of warm-up games before the tournament, including clashes against Turkey, Germany, Serbia, Canada, and Australia. At the Olympics, France will compete in Group B alongside Germany, Japan, and the winner of an upcoming qualifying tournament.

The preliminary roster will undergo a reduction to 12 players for the final tournament. Collet, known for his unwavering determination, has his sights set on building a cohesive unit capable of delivering a medal-winning performance on home soil.

With Wembanyama's exceptional talent and the collective experience of the veterans, France boasts a formidable squad that will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in Paris. The anticipation is palpable as the team embarks on its journey towards Olympic glory.

Additional key points:

* France will host the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

* Wembanyama stands at 7-foot-3 and is considered one of the top prospects in the NBA.

* France won silver in the Tokyo Olympics.

* The preliminary roster includes five point guards.

* France will face several tough opponents in warm-up games before the tournament.