By Guillaume K. | Sports journalist
After 15 years of good and loyal service as well as a second Olympic medal in a row, Vincent Collet left the French team bench. It didn’t take long before he found work, since he will be joining the NBA in the next few hours!
During his tenure at the head of the French team, Vincent Collet has often been doubted by supporters, by specialists and sometimes even by his own players. During the Paris Olympic Games for example, the most important competition in the history of this selection, Evan Fournier clearly questioned his system after a tense group stage.
Fortunately, Collet is not the type to hide and run away from his responsibilities. When he needs to question himself, he does it. When a big decision has to be made, he makes it. This explains in particular the passage of Rudy Gobert on the bench this summer, in favor of a Guerschon Yabusele who is much fitter and much more complementary to Victor Wembanyama…
Vincent Collet arrives in the NBA!
Freed from his role as coach after this last great silver medal, the former Metropolitans expressed quite openly his attraction to the NBA, even in a simple assistant role. His wishes have been heard, since he has just committed to the Cavaliers for the coming seasons! Our colleagues from The Team tell:
Vincent Collet in Cleveland, it’s like it’s done. The former coach of the France team should soon join the organizational chart of the Ohio NBA franchise, in a role of external consultant. He would thus join forces with the head coach of the Cavaliers, Kenny Atkinson, who had been his assistant with the Blues last summer during the Paris Olympics.
Since the end of his mandate and the second silver medal won at the Olympics (2021, 2024), the Norman had been appointed special advisor to the National Technical Directorate. He should be able to continue to perform this function since, according to our information, his mission should see him travel to the United States for around one week per month.
Having a well-stocked address book always helps in the world of professional sports. The proof, after his call to the NBA, Vincent Collet was recruited by the Cavaliers, franchise of his assistant with the French team Kenny Atkinson. Difficult to know his exact role in the organization chart, but he could help managers scout international players.
Vincent Collet’s dream will come true this season. He will join the organization chart of an NBA team, first in a role as an external consultant. But it’s a first step in a league that could ultimately open its doors to him.
