After being France’s leading scorer in five consecutive major tournaments across the EuroBasket, World Cup and Olympic Games, Evan Fournier is back with the national team after two years away. The 33-year-old, coming off an EuroLeague title with Olympiacos and a Final Four MVP award, explained to the French Basketball Federation why he decided to continue his international career.
After the Paris Olympics, did you consider ending your international career?
“I thought about it. It crossed my mind. But I still love the game, so the thought process was rather quick. Unfortunately, I couldn’t join the French national team last summer because my ankle was hurting. So when you miss a competition, and for me it was the first time, you start asking yourself: what do I do?”
You have won six medals with France. Did the pursuit of a gold medal motivate you to continue?
“It was very difficult for me to say no last summer. Let’s not kid ourselves. A European Championship gives you a greater chance of winning a gold medal than a World Cup or the Olympic Games. It was a form of giving up because I don’t know if I will ever play another EuroBasket. Of course, I want to win. But I’m not sure I’m chasing gold as much as I was five or six years ago. I want to enjoy my final moments with this jersey. And help this young group.”
Does seeing a talented new generation arrive make you want to share these moments with them?
“No, it’s actually the opposite. You think, damn, I’m old! (he bursts out laughing) All my guys are gone. It’s just the two oldest of us with Rudy Gobert. But there has always been turnover with the French national team, that’s normal. And both of us have a role to play. When we arrived with the national team, with Thomas Heurtel, Joffrey Lauvergne and Rudy Gobert, the older players like Boris Diaw, Mike Gélabale and Florent Pietrus were very important in our development. They helped us understand what the French national team meant and how it worked. Now it’s our turn to do the same. That doesn’t mean we won’t work to win games, but we have a greater responsibility than we did before.”
At 33, is it easy to adapt to a different role, to be someone else?
(interrupting) “I’m not going to be someone else. I’ll remain myself. There’s no point in forcing things. Simply, in such a young group there is inevitably an element of discovery and the unknown. That’s where I think we can step in. I’m not going to start talking all the time. I’ll speak up when I feel something needs to be said. And it needs to be important. I’ve always been quite vocal at certain moments. And on the court, I’ll be myself.”
Thirteen years after your debut, does it feel like time has flown by?
“I have moments like that. Yesterday I was looking around and thinking that I had barely experienced anything with this group. The coaching staff has also changed a lot, not just the players. Obviously, there are a few familiar faces. It’s a lot to take in. But it’s refreshing at the same time. Not relying on what you’ve already achieved is interesting. I’m eager to keep moving forward and play the first games.”
You’re coming off an exceptional season, highlighted by the EuroLeague title and your Final Four MVP award. Did that reinforce your belief that you still have a lot to offer France?
“I’ve always believed that you have to perform to come to the French national team. I’m not a fan of getting a free pass. Just because I’ve been here for more than ten years doesn’t mean I have to be on the team. No. You have to earn your place here. And I take that seriously. I don’t want to be part of the team just because I get along well with someone.”
2026 is a year without a major competition. Are you already looking toward Qatar 2027 and Los Angeles 2028?
“No, I’m not looking that far ahead at all. Especially the Olympics. It annoys me when people talk about the Olympics. First, you have to qualify, and that’s not easy. The most important thing is what’s happening now, what we’re doing right now. There’s no point talking about next year. We don’t know who will be there or whether there will be injuries. Let’s focus on what we have to do.”
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