Admin September 9, 2024
MIES (Switzerland) – Nic Batum, a star with France for nearly two decades, retired from the international game after doing his thing one last time in the Paris Olympic Final against the USA.
His main role was to guard the opponent’s best player, soar through the air for dunks, rebound, block shots, or when in doubt, do whatever coach Vincent Collet asked of him.
“It was my last one with this jersey,” Batum said after France’s 98-87 defeat. “I spent 15 years playing four World Cups, four EuroBaskets, and four Olympics. I did what I had to do: Seven medals. I’m happy.”
Batum’s last two medals were silver, at the Summer Games in Tokyo, and three years later in Paris.
Here are his Top 10 FIBA games.
Batum lead France to the U18 title
Batum leads France into 2006 FIBA U18 European Championship Final
At the age of 17, Batum won the U18 EuroBasket 2006 with France and he had his tournament-high of 24 points to lead France past Spain, Ricky Rubio and Victor Claver, 80-67 for the second game of the competition. The 2.03M (6’8″) forward also had 9 rebounds as the French prevailed before going on to win the U18 Final.
Lighting it up on his World Cup debut
Batum explodes onto the World Cup scene in very first game
In his first-ever game at a World Cup in 2010, Batum had 14 points, 2 blocks and 1 steal as France upset defending champions Spain, 72-66, in Izmir.
Batman scored 19 to lead France to London
Batum’s 19 points helped France beat Lithuania in EuroBasket 2011 Semi-Final to qualify for London
At FIBA EuroBasket 2011, the teams that reached the Final qualified for the London Olympics. When Batum poured in 19 points and also had 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocked shots and a steal, France won 79-71 win over Russia. Batum hit 3 of 5 from deep and 6 of 8 overall from the field.
Batum goes off against Lithuania at his first Olympics
Batum takes flight against Lithuania in London
In just his third game as an Olympian, Batum erupted for 21 points and corralled 6 rebounds to lead France past Lithuania in the Group Phase of the London 2012 Olympics. Batum showed his importance on both ends of the court, also swatting 3 shots and coming up with 2 steals.
From strictly a statistical point of view, this tournament was Batum’s best ever in the national team jersey.
Bringing France its only title ever
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In the EuroBasket 2013 title game against Lithuania, Batum erupted for 17 points on 6 of 13 shooting, including 3 three-pointers, and also had 6 rebounds and 3 steals as France won the FIBA EuroBasket for the first time. He was the best scorer for France in the Final and played 37 minutes.
Long-range Nicolas
Batum caught fire against Serbia at the 2014 World Cup
Batum was the best player on the floor in the 2014 World Cup Semi-Final against Serbia, drilling an eye-popping 8 of 12 shots from behind the arc en route to 35 points! He had 11 of 17 from the floor overall, 5 of 6 at the free-throw line and finished with game-high 32 EFF.
Serbia held on for a 90-85 win after a furious comeback from France, led by Batum. On that day, he underlined his status as one of the best players in international basketball. His 35 points were the highest total he’d score in his 177-game national team career.
Batum carried France to the podium
Batum’s stunning performance carried France to podium in 2014
Jolly Saint Nic had 27 points and France hit back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun Lithuania in the Third-Place Game at the World Cup in Madrid. France reached the podium at the event for the first time. Batum was 8 of 12 from the floor, including 2 of 5 from deep, and also had 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 steals and a team-best 26 EFF.
Heroics against Spain in Lille
Batum’s heroics against Spain were not enough for France in 2015
Sometimes the greats show brilliance in defeat, which Batum did in France’s 80-75 overtime setback to Spain in their EuroBasket 2015 Semi-Final. Batum’s 3-pointer made while falling out of bounds forced overtime. He ended up with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Defense and toughness to get back on the World podium
Batum dove for loose balls and drew charges as France beat Australia to third place
Batum was indispensable as France came from behind to beat Australia in the Third-Place Game in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. If his scoring helped the team five years earlier, it was his defense and toughness in Beijing. He had 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals to go with his 9 points in 32 minutes and 29 seconds.
The double-double that lifted France into Tokyo Semi
Batum put in a huge effort to lead France past Italy and into the Semi-Finals in Tokyo
With France trying to reach the Olympic Semi-Finals for the first time since Sydney 2000, Batum turned in a solid performance – 15 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals – in an 84-75 triumph over Italy at the Tokyo Olympics. Batum, who was 2 of 4 from long range in that Quarter-Final, finished with a game-high 28 EFF.
The block!
Batum blocked Slovenia’s Prepelic to put France into the Tokyo Final
Though he scored only 3 points, Batum came up with the biggest play of his international career, a swat of Klemen Preprelic’s layup at the buzzer, to preserve France’s 90-89 victory over Slovenia. Batum came out of nowhere and pinned the ball on the backboard. It was his fourth block of the game! Batum also had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
To this day, this might still be the most iconic play in the history of French basketball.
FIBA
