Team France lost Rony Turiaf and Mickael Gelabale and as much of a blow it might be for France, it gave a chance for San Antonio Spurs draftee Nando De Colo to shine in a win over Lithuania.
De Colo finished the game with 21 points, five steals and four rebounds as he helped power France to a narrow 73-67 win much to the chagrin of Lithuania head coach Kestutis Kemzura.
“We did a good job on their leaders but the x-factor was Nando de Colo in the 4th quarter. He just hurt us. We couldn’t stop him”, Kemzura told reporters after the tournament.
And while the headliners for France are Spurs’ Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, and Joakim Noah make the French squad one of the favorites to win it all at the London 2012 games, De Colo could be an x-factor and if given time on the court, Nando can deliver.
“Tonight I had the opportunity to play my game and I had more time on the court so I did it”, De Colo told reporters following the match.
France will need De Colo more now that the French roster lost two key players and it seems he does have what it takes.
But the question on Spurs fans minds is whether Nando is ready to make the jump to the NBA. He shows he can light up the score board but can he do it on basketball’s greatest stage?
What do you think Spurs fans? Do you feel Nando is ready to wear the black and silver jersey?
