Former Paris Basketball player, Ismaël Kamagaté turns his back on the France team to wear the Ivorian jersey.
Ismaël Kamagaté and the French team, it’s over. International three times during qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, in November 2022 then in February 2023, the 23-year-old pivot will no longer wear the Blues jersey. “He requested, this summer, to be able to play for Ivory Coastindicated Boris Diaw this Thursday, at a press conference, on the sidelines of the announcement of the first list of new coach Freddy Fauthoux. He has already played matches with the French team and therefore an agreement from the federation was required. We had an interview with him to find out his intentions. In view of this interview, he was granted the freedom to change national team so that he could play with Côte d’Ivoire.further explained the general manager of the selection and ex-captain of the Blues.
And to continue: “We thought about several things, what would be the positive side for the French team in the future and its chances of integrating the group but also the player, the good of the player. We saw that it was a real wish on his part to join the Ivory Coast. He would have the level to make the international windows… without the NBA and Euroleague players but the prospect of joining the French summer team was less obvious for him. We did not want to block his path and allow him to compete internationally with Ivory Coast, all while knowing that we also have a reservoir which ensures the well-being of the selection. He is no longer part of Team France.” Having passed through Paris Basketball in his early days, with a title of best defender in the French championship in 2023 and a selection for the All Star Game, Kamagaté joined Milan in 2023, then Derthona Basket, a Tortona club.
