France vs Serbia: 3 Players to watch out for ahead of marquee preparatory clash
France will host Serbia on Friday for an exhibition game in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET. The upcoming matchup will be the Serbian team's first Olympic preparation game. They directly qualified for the tournament after they finished second in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where they lost to Germany in the Final.
Meanwhile, the French team qualified as the host nation and will play their fourth Olympic preparation game on Friday. They have a 2-1 record so far. The team is coming into the game off a 70-65 loss against Germany on Monday after previously defeating them 90-66 on Saturday.
France vs Serbia: 3 Player battles to watch out for ahead of marquee preparatory clash
#1 Nikola Jokic
The reigning NBA MVP previously did not play for Serbia when they secured runners-up in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, as he did not participate in the summer after clinching his first NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Nikola Jokic previously represented Serbia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and averaged 9.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the tournament while shooting 50.0% from the field. He played all eight games in the tournament and led Serbia to a silver medal in 2016 after they lost to Team USA in the finals.
However, Jokic has come a long way as a player since 2016. He will represent Serbia after two years when he suits up to play against the French team in the much-anticipated preparatory matchup.
#2 Victor Wembanyama
The only game the French team lost (vs. Germany) in the Olympic exhibition games was without their star player, Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanayama was crucial in France's two wins, averaging 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks across 19.5 minutes in the games against Germany and Turkey.
Wembanyama was reportedly ruled out of France's previous game due to an illness. Though it is uncertain if he'll feature in the upcoming game against Serbia, the 20-year-old will be one to watch if he does.
#3 Rudy Gobert
In France's last three exhibition games, Rudy Gobert averaged 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in just over 16 minutes of playtime per game while shooting 62.5% from the field. Gobert previously led France to silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and EuroBasket 2022.
The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year seconds Victor Wembanayama as the highlights of the French team as they look to dethrone Team USA for Olympic glory in their home country.