Is Rudy Gobert playing tonight? More 4x NBA DPOYs availability ahead of the France vs Serbia matchup
France fans hope to see Rudy Gobert patrol the paint tonight against Serbia in the third exhibition game before the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. The Minnesota Timberwolves center, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is listed as available for the matchup.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gobert has been a stalwart for France throughout his international career. His rim-protecting and rebounding is a part of their defensive identity with Victor Wembanyama.
After rested for the first two exhibition games against Turkey and Germany, the defensive duo of Gobert and Wembanyama was seen practicing before the matchup with Serbia, who is led by reigning NBA 2024 MVP Nikola Jokic.
France's roster for the Olympic games
- Nicolas Batum (76ers)
- Bilal Coulibaly (Wizards)
- Nando De Colo (former NBA player)
- Ousmane Dieng (Thunder)
- Evan Fournier (Pistons)
- Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)
- Killian Hayes (former NBA player)
- Jaylen Hoard (former NBA player)
- Theo Maledon (Suns)
- Frank Ntilikina (former NBA player)
- Elie Okobo (former NBA player)
- Vincent Poirier (former NBA player)
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
- Guerschon Yabusele (former NBA player)
France vs Serbia Preview
Despite being a top contender, France choked at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, finishing a lowly 18th. Les Bleus was finalists at the 2020 Olympics and the 2022 European Championship.
France will look to bounce back at the upcoming 2024 Olympics. Early signs are promising, as it dominated Turkey (96-46) and Germany (90-66) in friendlies but fell to Germany, 70-65 in a rematch.
While France might be the favorites, Serbia is a team to watch. They came very close to winning the World Championship, losing 83-77 to Germany in the final. Although Serbia hasn't played any warm-up games this summer leading up to the Olympics, they've included all their best players on the roster, including the current and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
France schedule for the exhibition and Olympic group stages
The exhibition schedule is expected to include five games for France before the Olympics, including contests against reigning FIBA World Cup champions Germany and back-to-back finalists Canada.
Meanwhile, France will be among the eight nations competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Les Bleus will compete in Group B with Germany, Japan and Brazil, the winner of the 2024 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Latvia.
France Group Phase Schedule
- vs. Brazil (July 27)
- vs. Japan (July 30)
- vs. Germany (August 2)