Basketball: Les Bleues "totally capable of going for gold" assures Malonga

"I'm a little frustrated because I love being in the French team. It's a missed opportunity, especially since there could be a medal at stake, but I'm really happy for the girls who are there and deserve it," Dominique Malonga explained to AFP before his Seattle Storm's match on the Los Angeles Sparks court, about the Euro which begins this Wednesday .

Malonga, a new phenomenon in French basketball aged 19, was selected second overall in the April draft.

"I'm going to watch every match (of the Euro). This year, I know it's for us. There's no reason. Some say the team is weakened, but not at all. I know this team is totally capable of going for gold. I hope that's what will happen. I'll be behind the French team throughout the competition," added the 1.98m center.

Her teammate Gabby Williams, a pillar of the French Olympic vice-champions, also chose to stay in the WNBA during this international window, while showing her "confidence in the French team" .

"I think that even without me, without Dom (Malonga), without Marine (Johannès), it'll still be okay. They really have the level to win this year. I admit it's a little frustrating, but the most important thing is the medal."

WNBA rules impose strict conditions on the presence of players under contract based on their seniority, and franchises have varying degrees of flexibility in releasing their players during international windows, which overlap with the North American season.

This regulation could be revised during negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement between the players and the league, which will come into effect in 2026.

Williams says she hopes for "a miracle" : "maybe the WNBA will talk with FIBA ​​(international federation)."

"We'll see, maybe I'm dreaming, but that's all it comes down to, I just know there's no communication between the two."