From the home court advantage to their sheer height advantage, one would think that France would secure dominant wins at least in the preliminaries of the 2024 Summer Olympics Men’s 5×5 Basketball competition. That hasn’t been the case thus far. 

The French have had to scrap to go undefeated through two games, taking a 78-66 win over Brazil thanks to a strong second half. France needed to assert themselves in the paint, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way on both ends of the floor. 

It seemed like the same story was going to unfold against Japan as the French trailed the Japanese by two points, 42-40, with 2:40 left before halftime. France got torched early on by 5-foot-8 point guard Yuki Kawamura, who had 10 points in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Laker Rui Hachimura made his mark in the second quarter and had 14 points through two quarters. 

The French responded with a 9-2 run to end the first half with a 49-44 lead, but Japan went on an 11-2 run to open the third quarter. Josh Hawkinson, Japan’s naturalized player, could not be contained and definitely punched above his weight down low. 

Hachimura was having himself quite a game, but  then he committed his second unsportsmanlike foul with 8:50 left in the fourth quarter, putting Japan in a difficult position despite holding a 72-70 lead. It was a controversial call, but the 26-year old didn’t have to put himself in that position for the refs to decide his fate. 

Nonetheless, Japan trudged on and Kawamura, who has an Exhibit 10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, played the game of his life. That was, until France had a miracle of their own. 

Matthew Strazel somehow managed to draw a four-point play and forced overtime. The French went on an 8-0 run that all but handed them their second victory in as many games. 

This isn’t a knock against Japan, who have really made strides with their men’s basketball program (please take note, Gilas Pilipinas), but France was clearly the better team, especially when they retained the core from their silver medal campaign in the Tokyo Olympics. Japan executed their plays to a tee and that allowed them to stay close with France until overtime. Hachimura’s presence could have changed this, but we only have the benefit of hindsight now. 

The thing is, however, France doesn’t need luck. They’re great already as it is. 

With Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert (plus Bilal Coulibaly and Guerschon Yabusele off the bench), the French have the size advantage over everyone, including Team USA. But then, it’s surprising that for a team that boasts a TALL and not just a tall frontline, they have been outrebounded on the offensive end. The Brazilians had an 11-8 offensive rebounding advantage to France and Japan also had a 6-5 edge in offensive rebounding over the French in the first half. 

France had been right to run their offense through Wembanyama and his passing has been an underrated aspect of his game. He finished with two assists against Brazil, but the French needed all of his game-high six assists in the win over Japan. The San Antonio Spurs’ height lets him see holes in the defense and he has found opportunities for his teammates to score. 

France’s backcourt should then find ways to thrive, especially when Wembanyama is on the bench. The frontcourt has done their part on both ends of the floor and tends to create the offense for themselves and even for their backcourt peers. 

Strazel played the game of his life and this game should build up his confidence going forward. Meanwhile, free agent Evan Fournier made some timely baskets, but much is expected from him, especially with the looks he has gotten thanks to the defense Wembanyama and Gobert have drawn. 

The French will take on the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup champions Germany to close out the group phase and it’s a critical game given the outcome’s seeding implications. The Germans have been efficient on offense and are currently second in the competition in points per game (97 against Japan). France won’t have to worry about Germany’s offensive rebounding (a tournament-worst five in their lone game thus far), but the German’s 24 assists against the Japanese (on only five turnovers) may mean they’ll have their hands full. 

Essentially, the gold medal is there for the taking for France. They just have to seize it and not simply lean on sheer luck. Through two games, they still have some convincing to do and nothing may silence the doubters more than a statement win over Germany.