PARIS (FIBA World Championship) - American college basketball star Joakim Noah has yet to obtain French nationality and will not play for Les Bleus at this summer's FIBA World Championship.
The New York-born ace, who led the Florida Gators to the NCAA title this year, is the 21-year-old son of former French tennis open winner Yannick Noah and can claim French citizenship through his father. However, this process has not yet been completed.
"There are two reasons for his non-selection," said France's technical director Jean-Pierre de Vincenzi in L'Equipe. "First of all, he is still not French which is a problem if he wants to play with the national team or the Under-21 side.
"Even if he managed to get his nationality, he would not be available because he has to follow a special programme with his university and take exams which he did not have time to do before because of his adventure in the NCAA Tournament."
Noah was voted the best player of the Final Four and rose to international prominence for his exploits in the tournament.
He could also be eligible to play for Sweden through his mother, the United States or Cameroon, his grandfather's homeland. But he has already stated his desire to represent Les Bleus, who are one of the most glamorous sides in the world with Tony Parker at point guard and Boris Diaw at forward.
"His father has started a procedure so that he gets French nationality but it can take time because Joakim does not live in France," De Vincenzi added. "But he said to us that he was very motivated to play Les Bleus. He has the perfect mindset to do it."
Noah, a power forward, told Basket News magazine this week that his long-term aim is to be a winner with the France team.
"I would like to play for the France team one day," he said. "This is a dream. My priority at the moment is my university, not the French team. But one day, it will be something very important to me. I want to win with them."
The World Championships take place in Japan from August 19 to September 3. France have been drawn in Group A alongside Argentina, Lebanon, Nigeria, Serbia & Montenegro and Venezuela.
By PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA