#FRAJOR Large victoire de la France face à la Jordanie ????????
➡️La France assure sa qualification pour le 2e tour et jouera la 1ere place du groupe face à la Rép. Dominicaine jeudi #TeamFranceBasket #FranceGotGame #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/EwAYynI29y
— Equipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) September 3, 2019
Frank Ntilikina dominated both ends of the floor in France’s beatdown of Jordan. The game served as his transition to a starting role as well.
- France 103 (2-0, 4 points)
- Jordan 64 (0-2, 2 points)
- FIBA World Cup, Final, Box Score
- Shenzen, China
Team France is off to a fast start at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and Frank Ntilikina is more than just a passenger on this ride. The 21-year-old put together a complete game on both ends of the floor and New York Knicks fans should be excited about the potential he’s flashing in China.
Head coach Vincent Collet inserted Ntilikina into the starting lineup in place of Andrew Albicy and the move paid off. In just over 21 minutes on the court, Ntilikina poured in 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.
The long-limbed guard continued to pick up his defensive assignment full court, giving Jordan’s point guards fits all game.
However, Ntilikina was hardly the only Frenchman to stand out on Tuesday. Five different players scored in double figures, led by Nando De Colo’s 19 points off the bench. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Frank Ntilikina’s long arms lead to Rudy Gobert throwing it down #FIBAWC2019 pic.twitter.com/kcSXq3jcS2
— Danny Small (@dwsmall8) September 3, 2019
There wasn’t much to this win for France. Jordan, to their credit, hung around for the first 15 minutes, but when France’s starters reentered the game in the second quarter, the rout was on.
Take this game with a grain of salt. Jordan is currently 49th in the world rankings.
Notably, Nicolas Batum sat out the game and in all likelihood, Collet was just giving him a night off to rest and regroup. France plans to go deep into the World Cup and this game was always going to be a blowout. No sense in burning out the 30-year-old forward in a 39-point victory.
France and Ntilikina turn their attention toward the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean squad upset Dennis Schroder and the Germans on Tuesday.
The Dominican Republic shocks Germany and secures a spot in the second group stage. WOW. pic.twitter.com/hjCJXd9efK
— Danny Small (@dwsmall8) September 3, 2019
Germany gave France all they could handle on Sunday so don’t expect the Dominicans to hand the French an easy win. The two countries will square off on Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
