Interview Frédéric Fauthoux: « We found our characteristic energy again »
Sept 3, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Elie Okobo, the point guard the French team needs? « He really tries to organize everything on the court »
French National Team - Frustrated at the start of the tournament, Elie Okobo delivered his best performance in the French jersey during the national team's victory against Poland (83-76). With 18 points and 10 assists, he played the role of a controlling point guard, found Guerschon Yabusele in great form and defended intensely against Jordan Loyd.
Photo Credit : Julie Dumélié
After a frustrating start to EuroBasket, Elie Okobo (1.91 m, 27 years old) delivered his most complete performance in the French jersey on Tuesday evening in Katowice. As a controlling point guard and decisive scorer, he tallied 14 points and 10 assists (with just one turnover at the very end of the game) in France’s victory over Poland (83-76). Showing his positive impact, the Bordeaux JSA native finished with the team’s best +/- (+13), well ahead of Jaylen Hoard (+8).
14
PTS
3
REB
10
AST
A clearer role, renewed confidence
Previously limited to a more secondary role in running the offense, Elie Okobo was given the keys to the French attack this time. Used as the sixth man but kept on the court throughout the second half, he controlled the tempo, perfectly fed Guerschon Yabusele (36 points) and played strong defense against his Monaco teammate Jordan Loyd.
After the game, he explained his mindset: « I’m satisfied with the team and what we were able to show tonight. We brought much more intensity. […] I’m happy to have contributed to this victory in this way. » More comfortable in his point guard role, he appreciated being able to « take control, play with confidence » and « find Guerschon and the other big men. »
Decisive choices in crunch time
While not everything was perfect (« The last turnover was really ugly, » he admitted), Okobo took responsibility in crunch time. « I always felt confident taking those shots. That step-back, I’ve been working on it since I was very young. I took it with confidence, and it went in. »
ELIE « CLUTH » OKOBO DID IT AGAIN 🗡️#EuroBasket x @FRABasketball pic.twitter.com/GFWURuwdZf
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 2, 2025
Defensively, he also held his own in the matchup against Loyd: « We trash talk every day in practice in Monaco. […] I tried to make things difficult for him. Even though he scored 18 points, I think they were more difficult points than his usual 28 or 32. »
With Fauthoux, discussion leads to repositioning
Head coach Frédéric Fauthoux, who has known him since his early years at Elan Béarnais, confirmed this more pronounced shift to the point guard position: « It was planned since Matthew’s (Strazel) injury. We have two true point guards, Sylvain (Francisco) and Théo (Maledon). »
While the two men have maintained a very good relationship since their paths crossed at EBPLO, Elie Okobo had not hidden from the coach his frustration about being used more as a shooting guard during preparation and the start of the tournament. Increasingly effective as a point guard at Monaco, with Mike James and Matthew Strazel in a scoring/secondary creator role, the Bordeaux native hoped to play a similar role at the Euro to express the full range of his game. But sometimes constrained by Théo Maledon and Sylvain Francisco’s play-calling, for themselves or other players, he hadn’t had the expected impact until now, except for a brief spell against Israel in the second half on Sunday. A game the whole team struggled with may have changed things, contributing to this beneficial repositioning. At least against Poland, for now.
Team support
His teammates didn’t fail to highlight his impact. Jaylen Hoard appreciated his decision-making: « He was strong in his pick and roll decisions, even with me, on the short-rolls and things like that, he got me lots of easy baskets. And he’s playing better and better each game. »
Captain Guerschon Yabusele also emphasized his driving role: « We saw a great version of Elie today. Of course, he hit super important shots, he brought the rhythm, he defended, he really tries to talk and make sure everything is organized on the court. […] Today, he was incredible. Obviously, his performance was super important for us. »
A turning point?
During preparation, Elie Okobo said he wanted to « finally be himself » with the French team, which hadn’t been possible during previous campaigns (Euro 2022, World Cup 2023, and 2024 Olympics prep) under Vincent Collet. Against Poland, this wish materialized. More serene, more composed, he showed he could be both a floor general and a scorer. For Les Bleus, this might be a sign that their point guard has found the right formula at the perfect time.
In Katowice,
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
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