French EuroBasket squad shrinks – Ntilikina, Dieng, Diabate not selected

France trims roster ahead of EuroBasket

France’s national basketball team is getting down to business ahead of EuroBasket 2025 and that means some tough calls. 

Head coach Vincent Collet has narrowed his preliminary list from 18 to 14 players, with Frank Ntilikina, Ousmane Dieng and Moussa Diabate packing their bags.

Collet looking for the right mix

The timing of the cuts is no accident. “Les Bleus” have stepped up the tempo in camp, shifting from tryouts to building a core rotation. Ntilikina, once a promising NBA guard with the Knicks and Mavericks, has struggled to find rhythm and consistency in recent seasons. 

Dieng, the 21-year-old forward from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Diabate of the Los Angeles Clippers are both seen as high-upside prospects, but not quite ready to shoulder the load this summer.

Plenty of heavy hitters remain in the group: Guerschon Yabusele, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Isaia Cordinier, Bilal Coulibaly and rising star Zaccharie Risacher headline the current lineup. 

The blend of seasoned internationals and fearless young talent is promising, but Collet’s task is to squeeze it into a battle-ready 12-man unit.

Eyes on the podium, pressure in the locker room

France will hit EuroBasket as one of the bookmakers’ favorites for gold, yet no spot is guaranteed. The next few weeks will be a test of form, fitness and chemistry. 

Collet plans more cuts after a run of friendlies, and those games will show who can deliver when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest.