« It’s looking unlikely »: Toward Victor Wembanyama’s withdrawal from EuroBasket?
June 25, 2025
Editorial Staff
Evan Fournier doubtful for EuroBasket 2025
French National Team - After Rudy Gobert, now Evan Fournier is uncertain for EuroBasket 2025. The Olympiacos guard, troubled by an ankle injury, could miss a major tournament for the first time in his career.
Photo Credit : Guillaume Poumarede
Evan Fournier (1.98m, 32 years old) is uncertain for EuroBasket 2025. While Rudy Gobert has already withdrawn and Victor Wembanyama’s situation remains unclear, the Olympiacos guard is now also reported as highly doubtful by L’Équipe. Dealing with a right ankle injury, he could miss his first international competition with France.
An unprecedented absence for a French team pillar?
If Evan Fournier’s presence at EuroBasket 2025 (taking place August 27 to September 14) is compromised, it would be a first. Since his first selection in 2013, the Paris native has never missed a major tournament with the French team when selected. The only exception: the 2016 Olympics, for which he wasn’t selected while in NBA contract negotiations.
Today, it’s a persistent right ankle injury, suffered at the end of the season, that has him consulting multiple specialists, including in Germany. At 32, the former NBA player had finished strong with Olympiacos, completing a successful European campaign (16.1 points in EuroLeague), marked by a semifinal loss against Monaco where he scored 31 points and a Greek championship title.
A leadership exodus
Evan Fournier’s possible withdrawal adds to Rudy Gobert’s absence. Another emblematic member of the 1992 generation, the French center has already withdrawn as recently announced. Head coach Frédéric Fauthoux, who must reveal the pre-selection this Friday, June 27, may have to manage without his two most experienced leaders.
Amid this general uncertainty, Victor Wembanyama’s status remains unclear. The French team staff awaits a decision from the Spurs regarding their star, who recently suffered from shoulder vein thrombosis. As for Mathias Lessort (2.06m, 29 years old), his chances of participating seem slim, despite his optimistic statements. The Panathinaikos center has missed most of the season after a left leg injury.
Fournier, symbol of unwavering commitment
Two-time Olympic silver medalist and six-time medalist with France, Evan Fournier has established himself as an essential offensive leader since 2017. Despite starting as a substitute at the beginning of the Paris Games last summer, he managed to become a decisive factor in crucial matches, particularly against Canada and Germany.
His dedication to the national team is undoubted, and his absence would be a significant blow to French ambitions at the Euro. The staff now hopes for a positive development in the coming weeks. But the prospect of a EuroBasket without Fournier, Gobert, and possibly Wembanyama seriously changes the face of the French team.
Commentaires