Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — With the National Basketball Association (NBA) Playoffs just around the corner and with pending free agency looming ever closer, French forward Nicolas Batum said he doesn’t know if he will be suiting up for his country in Manila.
In a global conference call with select journalists on Tuesday (April 12), Batum revealed that he cannot guarantee whether or not he will be playing in the Manila tournament.
“Right now I don’t know yet,” said Batum. “We are still in an NBA season and with the free agency and stuff like that, so we’re still talking about it.”
In his first season with the Charlotte Hornets, Batum helped his side secure a playoff berth, but could test the waters in free agency at the end of the current NBA season.
Should the French miss out on having the services of Batum, they will be missing the production of an NBA player who provides averages of 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
But the Frenchman insisted that playing in Manila is a priority for him.
“I will do everything I can to be there for sure,” he said.
The Philippines opens their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign against France on July 5 at the Mall Of Asia Arena.
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