Expectations are always high for France in Olympic men’s basketball, but especially so this year as the host nation of Paris in 2024. Victor Ouenbanyama’s Olympic debut is all the hype for France, but this team is blessed with much more talent than the 20-year-old prodigy. France won the silver medal in men’s basketball at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and most of that squad (plus Ouenbanyama) is returning this year with medal hopes.
Rudy Gobert has been a key player for the French national team for nearly a decade, and is still in great form after winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last season. Minnesota Timberwolveswhere he captained the league’s best defense. Don’t get me started on Brazil’s Mauzinha Pereira about the plethora of awards Gobert has won. The 23-year-old staged a great Olympic moment on Saturday against France by posting a spiteful poster aimed at Gobert. I’m sure Gobert’s biggest haters in the NBA were thrilled to see it.
Here’s an even better angle:
Pereira signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, which has already been the highlight of his career.
Gobert is a great defender, but there have been plenty of instances over the years where he has been at a disadvantage in some great highlight scenes. Not being afraid to embarrass is an underrated element of an elite defender. Gobert jumped in to block the shot, but couldn’t, knowing he might be mocked again on social media. It didn’t work this time, but he always has the right mentality to try to make a play. Sometimes, even a future Hall of Famer like Gobert can lose.
France beat Brazil in the opening game of the Olympics, a moment Pereira will never forget, even in defeat.
