« It’s now or never »: Mam’ Jaiteh facing the biggest opportunity of his life with Team France
August 14, 2025
Alexandre Lacoste
« We’re fortunate to be in a group with real cohesion »: Mam’ Jaiteh promoted to French team’s starting center
French National Team - With successive withdrawals of Mathias Lessort and Vincent Poirier, Mam' Jaiteh finds himself promoted to starting center for the French team at EuroBasket 2025. The AS Monaco player, EuroLeague finalist, says he's ready to take on this central role starting with the opener against Belgium.
Photo Credit : Guillaume Poumarede
In the hierarchy of French centers, Mouhammadou Jaiteh (2.11m, 30 years old) wasn’t necessarily expected to be this high up. Long seen as a potential backup behind Vincent Poirier, the new Dubai BC center benefits from the successive withdrawals of Mathias Lessort and the Anadolu Efes big man to find himself promoted to number 1 in the French frontcourt. On the eve of France’s first game against Belgium, he shared his thoughts on his increased responsibilities and the team’s mindset.
« We’re fortunate to be in a group with real cohesion »
Aware of the opportunity and responsibility before him, Mam’ Jaiteh emphasizes the solidarity within the French team: « We’re fortunate to be in a group with real cohesion, real understanding. In a team like this, where everyone’s on the same page, we progress very quickly. »
He stresses the importance of team chemistry, rare at this level: « This might be the campaign where I feel all 12, even all 18 players (from the start of preparation) were truly together, united. There were no cliques. »
A big brother role
At 30, Jaiteh also sees himself as a guide for his teammates: « Given my age and having experienced quite a lot in my career, I can bring a certain calmness. But the team is so talented and united that there isn’t much to do except be myself. »
🇫🇷1️⃣4️⃣ Mouhammadou Jaiteh pic.twitter.com/3vj41lt0JU
— Équipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) August 16, 2025
Being wary of Belgium
While France is favored against Belgium, the Monaco center remains cautious: « They’re a team very focused on three-point shooting. When they’re physically challenged, they like it less. It’s up to us to impose our intensity and physicality. »
Against Ismaël Bako, whom he played with at Virtus Bologna, Jaiteh knows he’ll need to impose his physical presence: « He’s a very aerial player, I need to use my strength to keep him from taking off. »
A new status to uphold
Promoted to starter, Jaiteh is aware he needs to manage his tendency to commit early fouls: « It’s important that I remain available for the team. I need to find the right balance between impact and discipline, to stay on the court as long as possible. »
With this enhanced role, he intends to be an essential anchor point in a French collective that relies on its depth and adaptability, including the possibility of fielding a lineup without a traditional center.
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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