Tony Parker And Nicolas Batum say they will play for France in 2016 Olympics

Updated Sep 22, 2015 at 12:30p ET


France hosted EuroBasket 2015, but they didn't win gold. That award instead went to Spain, France's bitter rival.

But two French stars, San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker and Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum, said this won't be their last time suiting up for their nation's team. Here's what happened after they had to settle for the Bronze medal, per Sportando:

After the bronze medal at Eurobasket 2015, Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum took the microphone in Lille and said that they will not leave French National Team. “We are sorry that we did not win the gold medal. You have been amazing” the two NBA stars said. “We will be stronger in Rio 2016. We will not leave French National Team”.

It makes perfect sense for Batum to play for France next summer. He's 26 years old, and the ink should be dry on a new long-term contract by the time he gets to Brazil. But Parker is a different story. He'll be 34 years old next summer and is already declining.

It'll be interesting to see San Antonio's reaction to having their franchise point guard wear himself down with even more basketball over the summer, instead of giving his body the rest it probably needs.

(h/t: Sportando)

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