It looks like Moussa Diabate ruffled some feathers when he opted out of playing for France's men's national basketball team in EuroBasket 2025 as a substitute for the injured Vincent Poirier. According to Les Bleus coach, Frederic Fauthoux, Diabate was asked to rejoin the squad but declined the offer (translated by Google) to focus on the 2025-26 NBA season after he "consulted his entourage." Additionally, Fauthoux curiously remarked that, "We took note."
Did the 23-year-old center just kiss his dreams of representing his country again in international competition goodbye? Perhaps, as France is quite loaded at the frontcourt, with Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, and Mathias Lessort expected to suit up in more important tournaments in the following years. Spurning the team now could also impact his chances in the future.
Diabate was actually a part of France's preliminary roster for this year's EuroBasket. However, he was among those who were cut first despite having "checked many boxes," per Fathoux. It's unclear if his recent refusal to take over Poirier's roster spot was driven by spite, although it's likely that he simply shifted his focus to preparing for the Hornets' 2025-26 campaign.
Playing for the flag is an enormous privilege that not many athletes have the fortune of experiencing. "Moose" has done it, though, playing for France's junior squad that placed fourth in the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship and finished fifth in the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship.
He has yet to join the senior team and may have missed his chances of ever doing so. It's worth noting that he also turned down an invitation to participate as a training partner for the French national squad in its preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Diabate can make the risk worth it by turning in a monster season for Hornets
Perhaps Diabate's decision will ultimately benefit him, as he will have more time to get ready for what is expected to be a key role for Charlotte.
There is a growing concern that the Hornets' shallow depth at the center position could be their undoing. However, it's also possible that Diabate, along with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee, can make it work, especially because each of them is capable of helping the club in his own way.
As for Diabate, he has already proven to be one of the league's most prolific rebounders, particularly on the offensive end. He has also exhibited incredibly high motor, although he has still looked a bit raw in the other facets of his game. However, the former second-round pick will have plenty of opportunity to develop his skills and chemistry with his Hornets teammates.
There is a chance that he could regret spurning the French national team, but he can put that to rest by proving that the decision to refine his game instead of wearing the national colors ends up being better for his personal progress. Naturally, the Hornets organization and its fans would be thrilled if that turned out to be the case because it could have a positive ripple effect on the franchise.