Photo: championsleague.basketball

Sylvain Francisco has officially been named among the 12 players who will represent France at the upcoming EuroBasket 2025, a milestone in his career that highlights both his development and determination.

Currently with Zalgiris Kaunas, the 27-year-old guard spoke about the pride he feels in being part of the final roster, while also emphasizing that his journey with Les Bleus is only just beginning.

“I’m feeling good, very happy, even relieved. But I’m keeping my feet on the ground because there’s still a long way to go and a lot to accomplish,” Francisco said in an interview with BeBasket. “It’s really nice to be among the 12 and to continue – or rather, truly start – the journey with these guys.”

For Francisco, making the squad is not just a personal achievement but also an opportunity to contribute his experience.

With Vincent Poirier sidelined, Francisco finds himself among the older, more seasoned players – a role he embraces with humility.

“I don’t really notice because we all get along well as a team. We joke around. Sometimes I feel like I’m not 27,” he laughed. “But it feels good to be here, to be one of the ‘older guys,’ to give guidance to the younger players while bringing experience.”

While Francisco celebrated his selection, he also acknowledged the difficult decisions that came with finalizing the squad. One of the toughest was leaving Nadir Hifi out of the 12-man roster.

“Naturally, it hurts. Nobody would like to be in his position. Everyone would have been disappointed if it had been us. There wasn’t a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ choice – everyone was performing. Knowing Nadir, I know this will motivate him. He’s going to have a big season ahead in Paris. This should push him; he’s been through so much that it shouldn’t bring him down.”

Having taken on leadership responsibilities at Zalgiris Kaunas, Francisco now looks to carry that same presence into the national team setup.

“Absolutely! I had it at Zalgiris, so why not bring it here? After Germany, I really dominated a EuroLeague team and had the keys to the game. That helped me progress with Coach Trinchieri and evaluate myself honestly. Energy on offense, defense, creating for myself and my teammates – I know I’m someone who can make a big impact and change a lot.”

Still, the French guard insists that leadership on this team must be shared, with collective spirit outweighing any individual ambition.

“Many of us want to be leaders, but there’s no ego. It comes naturally; if one person or another takes the lead, it doesn’t change anything: we’ll all support each other and move forward.”

With EuroBasket 2025 approaching, Francisco is prepared to contribute his game, experience, and energy to help France compete at the highest level.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR