With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

France: Loaded with Depth, But Missing the Towers

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Even without their twin interior anchors — Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama — France arrives at EuroBasket 2025 as one of the deepest and most athletic teams in the tournament. New coach, new cycle, and still the same high expectations. Their roster oozes NBA talent, and they remain a contender even without a traditional big to dominate the paint.

Best Players: France used a wide rotation in the qualifiers, and no single player stood out for long stretches — only Andrew Albicy played five games, serving as the veteran stabilizer. But now the stars return. Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr bring fresh NBA pedigree, while Bilal Coulibaly and Guerschon Yabusele provide elite physical tools and FIBA experience. No Rudy, no Wemby, no problem? We’ll see.

Path: A clean 6–0 record in the qualifiers. They didn’t always dominate, but they found ways to win every time — even grinding out tough games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia late in the cycle. Elie Okobo hit a buzzer-beater to down Bosnia and Herzegovina, proving this team can handle adversity even when the stars sit.

Strengths: France’s strengths start with athleticism — even without their elite rim protectors, this team is built to run, fly, and switch across all positions. Their depth might be the best in the tournament; they can rotate full five-man units without much of a dip in quality or intensity. On the perimeter, physical defenders like Bilal Coulibaly and Isaïa Cordinier make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers, giving France the tools to disrupt even the most structured offenses.

Weaknesses: France’s weaknesses center on their frontcourt, which lacks a tested center due to the absences of Gobert and Wembanyama, leaving them short on size and elite rim protection, while Lessort’s absence further deprives them of a solid contributor in the big spots. Their off-ball defense still needs improvement, especially in help-side timing and rotations, an issue that becomes more pronounced with smaller lineups. Additionally, their three-point shooting during qualifiers was inconsistent, with low volume and efficiency; although the NBA additions should bolster this area, it remains uncertain how they’ll perform under pressure.

Bottom Line: France might not have its most dominant version of the roster, but even this “Plan B” group is good enough to compete for a medal. If Sarr and Risacher find their rhythm quickly, and the wings stay aggressive on both ends, they’ll be a nightmare matchup for anyone.

Expectation: Still elite, even without their towers in the middle

They won’t be the tallest, but they just might be the fastest and on of the deepest.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.