Nicolas Batum to join Team France in Fiba OQT Manila
French basketball player Nicolas Batum talks to journalists during an event to mark 100 days to go until the EuroBasket championships on May 27, 2015 in Paris. AFP FILE PHOTO
As if France still needs more firepower, Nicolas Batum will join the squad for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.
READ: Tony Parker, Team France arrive in Manila for Fiba OQT
The 6-foot-8 shooter tweeted a photo of his passport with him traveling to connecting flights to Dallas, Tokyo and eventually Manila.
This erased any doubts surrounding his status for the Manila OQT, as France shoots for the lone ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Batum’s status with the national team was at a crossroads as he tried to negotiate on a new contract as a free agent.
He decided to sign again with the Charlotte Hornets for a reportedly five-year $120-million deal.
With his professional issues out of the way, Batum will surely bolster coach Vincent Collet’s roster, which already features Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.
READ: France coach expects Filipinos to ‘play with emotion’ in FIBA OQT
The 27-year-old forward has been a part of the Les Bleus since Eurobasket 2009, and averaged 14.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in France’s bronze medal finish in the 2014 Fiba Basketball World Cup. RAM
