There was a time when former Blue Devil Crawford Palmer managed to play for the French National team, and they were glad for it. Palmer helped the French win silver in the 2000 Olympics, eight years after his Blue Devil teammate Christian Laettner won gold with the Dream Team in 1992.
It’s hard to imagine Palmer playing for France today. The French, like so many national teams, have multiple NBA players and superb athletes down the roster.
It hasn't mattered in this summer’s FIBA play though.
The game against Latvia was much closer than the blowout delivered by the Canadians, but an 88-86 loss is still a loss and this one sent the French home.