The French national team has been at the top of world basketball for two decades.
Just last summer she won an Olympic silver medal.
In contrast, since the days of Limoges the French teams have not been at the pinnacle of European basketball.
The season seems to be undergoing a big change - we are anticipating a renaissance of the French teams.
On the eve of the 10th round of the Euroleague, Wheelerban, who started a lot thanks to the presence of Tony Parker, and Monaco, who will meet Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight, are 61 percent successful this season and both are in the top eight (Wheelerban's game last night against Real Madrid ended after closing the issue ).
Both have already beaten CSKA this season, Monaco also added a win over Andulo Zero and a loss in extra time to Barcelona, while Villarban lost away to Milan by a point.
Paris Lee.
Came from Orleans,
The fact that there are two French women in the Euroleague is already an unprecedented achievement.
This is thanks to Monaco's win of the EuroCup last season.
In the summer, a stranger of a magnitude never before arrived in Monaco - Mike James, who will star in the hall tonight.
One of the best players this season in the Euroleague, if not the best of them, is Eli Okubo from Willerban, and the great Real Madrid has no less than four French players.
Add to that Tomer Ginat's good chances of succeeding in the EuroCup.
Leap in budgets
Two French teams in the top eight are not a routine picture.
Ginat thinks this is a continuation of a process, and that beyond budgets, excellent professionals are used.
The Israeli representative in France believes that both teams are a locomotive for the league: "Their success has an effect. All the other teams are very alert and want to play against them and show that they are equal. It is a big challenge and we feel that the league has become very strong this year."
Okovo.
Wheelerban's diamond, Photo: AP
French journalist Dylan de Abreu emphasizes that this is not a coincidence: "These teams have been working for years to reach these levels. It is hard work and a very high level of organization."
De Abreu talks about excellent marketing work, adoption agreements in increased amounts and collaborations with the major football clubs of these areas.
Monaco's player budget has risen this summer from almost three million euros to the Shiva region.
"This is a show of strength by the top of French basketball and it is an important spotlight for its progress and attractiveness," said French league general manager Michel Mimran.
Thanks to this ambition, the budgets have increased and more investors have come. "
James' arrival is a tie-breaker.
"When they heard in France that Monaco was going to sign Mike James, it sounded unrealistic," says de Abreu.
"He is the best foreign player to come to the French league. The league has always been just a transit station for foreigners who wanted to reach the highest levels. Now the situation has changed."
It is true that James is "satisfied" with a million euros (do not worry, he also has compensation from CSKA for allowing the contract), but it is still a contract that was unparalleled in French basketball. A foreign player of this caliber, professionally and economically, did not land in France. Basketball There is a statement from Monaco in the Euroleague and a statement from the French league.
Yannis Sapropoulos.
Challenging game against Monaco, Photo: Alan Schieber
"James' arrival is a big event for the French league," says Mimran.
"It creates a lot of interest, especially among the young audience. Any arrival of a superstar on such a scale is a big bonus for the league and adds quite a bit of attractiveness to it. We want more such players to come."
Ginat adds: "This move did very well for the coverage of the league in Europe."