Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers head coach, reminisces about his role with the French national basketball team, expressing pride in the Paris 2024 Olympics. He credits lessons learned from Vincent Collet for enhancing his coaching strategies. Atkinson hints at a desire to rejoin Les Bleus in future competitions, while France prepares for EuroBasket 2025 and the upcoming Olympics.

Kenny Atkinson, current head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, shared his reflections on his tenure with the French national basketball team during an exclusive interview with Olympics.com at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. He expressed his pride in participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics and discussed the influence of French basketball on his coaching style, especially the valuable lessons learned from Vincent Collet, the team’s head coach.

Atkinson revealed that watching the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, played at the Olympics moved him emotionally, as he felt a profound connection to that moment. He recalled the intense journey of the team nearly facing elimination yet successfully competing against formidable opponents like Steph Curry and LeBron James in the finals of the tournament.

With a record of 44 wins in 54 games during his inaugural season with the Cavaliers, Atkinson noted that insights from his time with Les Bleus positively impacted his coaching strategies. He implemented certain tactical adjustments, particularly in fast break execution, inspired by discussions with Coach Collet and concepts borrowed from soccer.

While reaffirming his commitment to the Cavaliers, Atkinson demonstrated a sincere liking for French basketball and hinted at the possibility of rejoining the national team for future competitions, particularly the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. He expressed an interest in working with rising star Victor Wembanyama, highlighting his admiration for the young athlete’s skills and work ethic.

Atkinson’s connections remain strong, as he recently dined with former teammate Boris Diaw and continues to cherish his experiences with the French national team. With the upcoming EuroBasket 2025 qualifying matches, France is focused on achieving success and hopes to reclaim prominence in European basketball as they prepare to vie for another Olympic medal.

Kenny Atkinson, head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, reflects positively on his experience with the French national basketball team during the Paris 2024 Olympics. He credits Vincent Collet for influencing his coaching methods and hopes to return to the national team in the future. As Les Bleus aim for EuroBasket 2025 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Atkinson remains supportive and enthusiastic about French basketball’s prospects.

Original Source: www.olympics.com

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