As injuries sideline France’s top basketball talents ahead of EuroBasket 2025, Group D is wide open—igniting new hopes for underdogs like Israel. The tournament’s balance has shifted, promising fierce, unpredictable matchups.
Just one year after basking in the glory of an Olympic final on home turf, France’s national basketball team finds itself grappling with a wave of setbacks ahead of EuroBasket 2025. In a fresh blow to their roster, standout center Mathias Lessort has officially been ruled out due to a leg injury sustained during a EuroLeague match last December. A key figure for Panathinaikos and formerly of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Lessort’s condition was jointly assessed by his club and national medical teams, who agreed he should not risk aggravating the injury further by participating.
This development intensifies an already mounting crisis for Les Bleus, who enter the tournament in just six weeks as part of Group D. The team is also reeling from the loss of NBA giants Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, both out with serious injuries. To fortify the paint in Lessort’s absence, the French squad may tap Jaylen Hoard—another ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv player known for his versatility and power on the boards.
But while France scrambles for answers, the door swings wide open for their group rivals. Israel, Slovenia, Poland, Belgium, and Iceland suddenly find themselves facing a weakened French lineup, transforming what once looked like a dominant group favorite into a vulnerable contender. With the stage set for surprises and upsets, EuroBasket 2025 promises to be a thrilling, wide-open battle—and the underdogs are more ready than ever to rise.
