Honestly, if you watched the gold medal game in Paris last summer, you know. It wasn't just a game; it was a heart-stopping, floor-diving, absolute slugfest that nearly ended the greatest dynasty in sports. The France women's national basketball team stood on the precipice of doing the impossible. They had the US squad—a team that hadn't lost an Olympic game since 1992—staring at the scoreboard in genuine panic.
67-66.
That was the final score. One single point. If Gabby Williams’ foot had been just two inches further back on that final buzzer-beater, we would have been looking at overtime and a potential seismic shift in the world basketball order. France didn't just show up to the party; they almost burned the house down.
The Defensive Wall of Les Bleues
What makes this specific iteration of the France women's national basketball team so terrifying for opponents is their sheer physicality. They don't just play defense; they make you hate every second you spend on the court. Under coach Jean-Aimé Toupane, the identity of the team has shifted toward a relentless, swarming style that thrives on chaos.
They are long. They are fast. They are incredibly deep.
In that Olympic final, France held the USA to just 34% shooting. Think about that for a second. You’re talking about a roster filled with WNBA MVPs and First-Teamers, and the French defense turned them into a group that couldn't buy a bucket. It was a "slugfest," as US coach Cheryl Reeve put it. France led by as many as 10 points in the second half. They weren't just hanging around; they were winning.
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The Gabby Williams Factor
You can't talk about French basketball right now without mentioning Gabby Williams. She’s basically the heartbeat of the roster. Her performance in the 2024 Olympics was nothing short of legendary, earning her a spot on the All-Star Five of the tournament. She averaged 16 points per game during the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, but stats don't really capture her impact.
She’s a "Swiss Army Knife" on the court.
Williams defends the best player on the other team, brings the ball up when things get shaky, and hits the most difficult shots when the shot clock is winding down. The fact that she’s now playing alongside French teammate Dominique Malonga in the WNBA for the Seattle Storm (Malonga was the No. 2 overall pick in 2025) means the chemistry of this national team is only going to get more telepathic.
Dominique Malonga: The 6-Foot-6 Unicorn
If you haven't heard the name Dominique Malonga yet, you're officially behind. People are calling her the female Victor Wembanyama, and while that’s a heavy tag to carry, it’s not entirely hyperbole. She’s 6’6”, she’s mobile, and she was the first French woman to dunk in a professional game.
At just 18 years old, she was the youngest player on the French Olympic roster.
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Most kids that age are just happy to be there. Malonga? She was out there grabbing boards and altering shots in the gold medal game. By the 2026 World Cup, she’s likely going to be the most dominant interior force in international play. Her development is the reason why France's ceiling is no longer "silver medal"—it's gold.
The New Guard is Arriving
The roster is currently undergoing a fascinating transition. While veterans like Valériane Ayayi and Marieme Badiane provide the steady hand, the youth movement is explosive.
- Janelle Salaün: A scoring machine who led the team in efficiency during several 2025 stints.
- Marine Fauthoux: A floor general who plays with a swagger that borders on disrespect (in the best way possible).
- Leïla Lacan: A defensive pest who seems to have four arms when she's playing the passing lanes.
This isn't a team that relies on one superstar to carry the load. On any given night, any of these players can be the high scorer. That makes them a nightmare to scout.
What Most People Get Wrong About France
There’s this lingering narrative that France is the "perennial silver medalist." People look at the history—Olympic silver in 2012 and 2024, bronze in 2020, and five straight silver medals at EuroBasket—and assume they just can't close the deal.
That’s a lazy take.
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The gap between France and the rest of the world has evaporated. In 2012, they lost the gold medal game by 36 points. In 2024, they lost by 1. That’s not a trend of "failing to close"; it’s a trend of a program that has systematically dismantled the advantages other nations once held. They are arguably the most consistent program in the world outside of the United States.
The Path to the 2026 FIBA World Cup
As we look toward the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, the France women's national basketball team is sitting at #3 in the FIBA world rankings. Their qualification path has been dominant. They aren't just winning games; they are obliterating teams in the EuroBasket qualifiers, often winning by 30 or 40 points.
The strategy is clear: keep the defensive pressure high and let the young legs run.
Toupane has experimented with lineups that feature incredible length, sometimes playing Malonga and Iliana Rupert together to create a "Twin Towers" effect that most European teams simply can't match.
Why 2026 Could Be Different
- WNBA Experience: More French players are taking the leap to the US league, which toughens them up for the physical style of play the Americans use.
- The Malonga Leap: Dominique will be 20 years old and likely an established WNBA starter by the time the World Cup tips off.
- No Fear: After the Paris final, the psychological barrier is gone. They know they can beat anyone.
The 2024 Olympic final changed the DNA of this team. They didn't leave that court feeling like they'd won silver; they left feeling like they'd let gold slip through their fingers. That kind of hunger is dangerous.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to keep a pulse on the trajectory of the France women's national basketball team, keep your eyes on these specific developments over the next year:
- Watch the Storm: Follow the Seattle Storm games in the WNBA. The chemistry building between Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga there is effectively a laboratory for the French National Team’s frontcourt.
- EuroBasket 2025: This tournament will be the litmus test. Anything less than a gold for France would be considered a disappointment given the current roster strength.
- Monitor the Point Guard Spot: Keep an eye on Marine Fauthoux’s assist-to-turnover ratio. If she can stabilize the playmaking, France becomes nearly unbeatable.
The era of "just happy to be on the podium" is over for Les Bleues. They are big, they are mean on defense, and they are coming for the crown.