Former French national team head coach Vincent Collet says he felt relieved when Joel Embiid opted to represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics, despite the center’s MVP credentials.
“I was happy Embiid didn’t come last year,” Collet told BasketNews at the B8 Summit in Vilnius last week. “I think we don’t need that.”
Collet, who coached France from 2009 to 2024 and led them to 13 medals across the Olympics, FIBA World Cup, and EuroBasket, explained his reasoning was less about Embiid’s talent and more about team chemistry.
“I can understand why teams are doing it, but for me, it’s not fair,” Collet continued. “Most often, it’s point guards, because it’s a weakness of European countries.”
France already had a strong frontcourt, which factored into Collet’s reservations.
“We already had very good big men,” Collet said. We already had challenges making them play together, so it would be the same. I knew Victor [Wembanyama] would be coming. We had Gobert, Poirier, and Mustafa Fall before. It would have changed the team completely.”
Embiid went on to help Team USA win gold, 11,2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 17 minutes per game. He was booed throughout the tournament by French fans but embraced the villain role.
“For sure, he’s a fantastic player, but from a team spirit perspective… even if he speaks French and has French ties, I think it’s not very good for our basketball,” Collet said.
French fans roared when Joel Embiid missed both free throws.
Embiid gets booed loudly every time he touches the ball. pic.twitter.com/OxIZE1FR8f
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) July 28, 2024
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