EuroBasket 2025 will tip off in August, as 24 European countries will compete for basketball supremacy on the continent. Considering they were runner-ups in both the most recent EuroBasket and the 2024 Olympics, France is expected to be a standout team. Unfortunately, they will not have superstar Victor Wembanyama and mainstay Rudy Gobert.
Gobert Admits Why He's Absent For France's EuroBasket Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
EuroBasket 2025 will tip off in August, as 24 European countries will compete for basketball supremacy on the continent. Considering they were runner-ups in both the most recent EuroBasket and the 2024 Olympics, France is expected to be a standout team.
Unfortunately, they will not have superstar Victor Wembanyama and mainstay Rudy Gobert. The Minnesota Timberwolves can breathe a sigh of relief, as only Donte DiVincenzo will play in an offseason competition, as he will play in EuroBasket with Italy.
Gobert is already 33, so prioritizing his recovery during the NBA offseason is significant. He will still be practicing and working out, but he will not be playing high-stakes games for the French national team this time around. It is an opportunity for him to take a breather and let the younger players shine.
The French national team still has rising stars, including Bilal Coulibaly and 2024 #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. That makes it easier for Gobert to step away for a bit, as he wants to rest his body after a tough 2024-25 season, where he suffered some injuries.
Gobert Is Glad He Gets To Take A Breather
For an older NBA player, it is completely fair to rest during the offseason. However, this is rare for Gobert to do, considering he is one of the icons of French basketball. Most French youngsters will point to him and Tony Parker as the icons that helped inspire them to pursue basketball.
According to multiple reports, Rudy Gobert (fitness) and Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) have elected to NOT play with France in Eurobasket 2025 in order to prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season. pic.twitter.com/LIGCJL2Gq3
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 13, 2025
It is logical for him to stay at home, as EuroBasket could last until September 14. Since France usually goes deep into these tournaments, Gobert will likely not have a lot of time to spend resting ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
"I’ve had busy summers in recent years, and it’s taken a toll. People don’t always realize how intense the EuroBasket is," Gobert said to L'Aisne. "It finishes just before the NBA resumes, and it’s a big responsibility. I had said I’d wait until the end of the season to decide, and now I have. This summer, I’m focusing on myself, my family and my son."
Gobert Will Be Important For the Timberwolves In The 2025-26 Season
The Timberwolves are set to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference in the 2025-26 season. This is set to be one of the most competitive seasons in a long time, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are still the favorites to win the championship.
Rudy Gobert was the best player in that game.
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) September 11, 2019
He had 21 and 16 boards
France was +26 in his 34 minutes on the court
Oh, and he did this to his Jazz teammate in a huge moment
Congrats France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/7EKR58ca3B
The Timberwolves are ready to bounce back after losing to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. With Anthony Edwards leading the charge, this team has the potential to be a contender. However, they will go as far as Gobert takes them, especially on the defensive end.
After two Conference Finals runs, the third time might be the charm for Gobert, Edwards, Chris Finch, and the Timberwolves. The future is bright, as everyone on the team is due for a big campaign. However, a refreshed Gobert should be a big deal for the team.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
