In the aftermath of France’s stunning exit from the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Nicolas Batum didn’t hold back his thoughts as the veteran forward described the disappointment of Sunday’s elimination.
A widely tabbed favorite entering the tournament, France was eliminated in the first round after a 95–65 loss to Canada on Friday and an 88–86 loss to Latvia on Sunday that saw the team blow a 13-point second-half lead.
During his postgame press conference, Batum, a French national team member since 2009, told reporters he felt “ashamed” by the defeat, and even admitted he was “scared to go home” and face fans with France out after just two games,
