After France’s men’s national team fell to Team USA in the Paris Olympics’ gold medal game, Nic Batum announced his retirement from Les Bleus.
“After 15 years in this team, it’s time for me to leave my spot to the younger generation,” Batum says.
Nicolas Batum calls it an end to his glorious France national team career 👏🇫🇷 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/0jkHjbjyvB
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 10, 2024
The 35-year-old Batum, a native of Lisieux, has played 101 career games with France’s Senior Team since 2009. In that time, France was won two gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals. Notably, Batum has been part of two of the only three French national teams to win a silver medal in the Olympics.
Team France’s Nic Batum, Nando de Colo Announce Retirement
Batum’s best showing may have come in the 2011 EuroBasket tournament. In 11 games, the forward averaged 13.8 points per game and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 40.5 percent from 3 to lead France to a silver medal. Nonetheless, he’s been an integral part of the team every year.
On the court, his defense and 3-point shooting are sure to stand out. As the captain, he has to lead vocally and by example, in practice and in games. That’s why, even at his advanced age, he played 25 minutes against Team USA in the gold medal game. With that being said, while the end result wasn’t what he and France desired, they left with their heads held high.
Nicolas Batum played his last game with the French national team: “I couldn’t dream of a better finish” #Paris2024
— Aris Barkas (@arbarkas) August 10, 2024
37-year-old point guard Nando de Colo is also retiring from France’s men’s national team, per Eurohoops’ Aris Barkas. Playing for the Senior Team since 2010, he’s been on their roster nearly as long as Batum. A second-round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, de Colo spent two seasons in the NBA before heading to EuroLeague.
He averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 assists per game in the Paris Olympics.
With his retirement, up-and-coming French guards like Nolan Traoré may be considered as his replacement. Batum’s replacement may already be on the roster given the way Bilal Coulibaly played defensively. However, players like 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher could find themselves being called up as well.
Another Retirement Looms
It’s worth clarifying, Batum hasn’t retired from the NBA. The 16-year NBA veteran signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason after Paul George’s departure. Nonetheless, Batum signed a two-year deal with L.A. that has a player option after the 2024-25 season.
As a result, it’s possible that Batum retires from the NBA in the next couple of years.
