During the EuroBasket tournament, France national basketball team guard Sylvain Francisco delivered a historic 32-point performance to secure a 103-95 victory against Slovenia, according to reports from BeBasket and BasketSession. The win advanced France to a 2-0 record in Group D play, overcoming a 39-point effort from Slovenian star Luka Doncic.
Sylvain Francisco Enters French Basketball History
Sylvain Francisco joined elite company during the matchup by becoming the ninth French player to score 30 points or more in an EuroBasket game, according to BeBasket. Coming off the bench at the start, the Zalgiris Kaunas guard finished the contest with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 passes, and 2 interceptions while shooting 7-for-7 on two-point attempts, as detailed by BasketSession. His performance places him alongside Tony Parker, Antoine Rigaudeau, and Nando De Colo.
Despite his individual milestones, Francisco emphasized the collective nature of the win. “Franchement, c’était un match incroyable, 32 points,” Francisco told BeBasket after the final buzzer. “Mais le plus important, ce n’est pas moi. Toute l’équipe a fait des choses bien.”
Containing Luka Doncic and Surviving a High-Scoring Battle
France weathered an offensive onslaught from Slovenia, which included 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 passes from Luka Doncic, alongside 46 trips to the free-throw line for the Slovenian squad, according to BasketSession. Head coach Frédéric Fauthoux’s squad erased a deficit that opened up before halftime, relying on balanced contributions across the roster.
Elie Okobo added 14 points, including clutch baskets in the closing moments, while Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr chipped in 12 points apiece, per BasketSession. Jaylen Hoard contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Coach and Teammate Reactions to the Win
Coach Frédéric Fauthoux credited Francisco for reading the Slovenian defense effectively. “Ce que Sylvain a merveilleusement fait aujourd’hui, c’est profiter de la façon dont les Slovènes défendaient,” Fauthoux stated, according to BeBasket. The coach also declined to alter the team’s starting point guard hierarchy despite Théo Maledon experiencing a slower start to the tournament, noting that the closing five players dictate the flow of the game.
Teammates echoed appreciation for Francisco’s on-court vision. Alexandre Sarr highlighted his “bonnes lectures et sa capacité à trouver les gars sur les coupes,” while Zaccharie Risacher noted that Francisco provided crucial help during difficult stretches of the game, as reported by BeBasket.
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