France Falls to Israel in EuroBasket, Coulibaly Struggles

France concluded its group stage campaign at EuroBasket with a disappointing loss to Israel, falling 82-69. Although this defeat was unfortunate, it does not eliminate their chances of advancing, as more group games are scheduled before the round of 16. A victory over Israel would have secured France a place in bracket play with a perfect 3-0 record, but they ultimately finished with a 2-1 record.

One notable player on the winning side was former Washington Wizards teammate Deni Avdija, who has since joined the Portland Trail Blazers. Avdija delivered an impressive performance, scoring 23 points, while also contributing eight rebounds and five assists. His display highlighted why he is considered a frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award this season.

Meanwhile, Alex Sarr did not participate in this matchup due to a calf injury. He was listed as out, which is a precautionary measure given the risks associated with calf injuries. Recent playoffs have shown how such injuries can escalate, with two Eastern Conference stars suffering Achilles tears after experiencing calf soreness. Despite his absence in this game, Sarr finished the group stage averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and one block per game while coming off the bench. Wizards fans should anticipate a more significant role for him this season.

On the other hand, Bilal Coulibaly started the game but had a challenging outing, recording only four points and four rebounds along with two turnovers. Despite this setback, Coulibaly’s overall performance during group play has been commendable, averaging 9.7 points, five rebounds, and one block per game as a starter for France. He has shown marked improvement and is expected to be a key player for the Wizards moving forward.

France’s current standing is still likely to secure them a place in the knockout stage. They finished second in their group and await the final point differentials from other matches to confirm their advancement. The bracket play is set to begin on September 6, 2023, and will be broadcast on Courtside 1891.

As the tournament progresses, the Wizards and their fans will be keenly observing the performances of their young talents like Coulibaly and Sarr. Any progress they make in EuroBasket will be closely tied to their readiness for the upcoming NBA season.