How many French players are in the NBA right now? We take a look at the top 5

#3 Nicolas Batum

France v Slovenia Men's Basketball - Olympics: Day 13

Nicolas Batum has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA for the past 13 seasons. Although he has had a few injury-affected campaigns, he has proven himself with reliable knockdown scoring and solid perimeter defense. After playing in just 22 games in the 2019-20 campaign, Batum was able to rekindle his love of the game in LA playing for the Clippers and was one of the side's best players all year.

Nic Batum’s block to help propel France to the men’s basketball gold medal game vs USA. (via @ItaloSantana_3) pic.twitter.com/2KHpcFMNJi
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) August 5, 2021

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In the Clippers' deep playoff run, Batum averaged eight points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and shot at 39% from deep. Therefore, it is no surprise that the organization extended his stay with a new two-year deal this week. At the Olympics, the 32-year-old has been crucial to France's success and came up with the game-winning block against Slovenia to take them through to the final.

#2 Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier has been France's most influential player in Tokyo, which bodes well for fans of his new team in the NBA, the New York Knicks. The versatile guard has averaged 19.2 points per game in his national side's run to the gold medal match and has shot at 54% from the field and 41% from deep.

Fournier has been in the NBA for ten seasons after being drafted in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in 2012. He played his best basketball while with the Orlando Magic for seven years, averaging 16 points per game and became known for his reliable shot-making from across the floor.

Although the Boston Celtics would have liked to have kept Fournier this summer, they were reportedly unwilling to offer him the kind of deal the Knicks could make (4-years, $78m).

#1 Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert is one of the most-decorated French players in NBA history. The 'Stifle Tower', as he is popularly known, has been the league's Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions, including this season. Gobert is also a two-time All-Star. He has made four All-NBA teams and has been influential to the Utah Jazz' re-emergence as a serious power in the West.

Gobert will be crucial to France's hopes of bringing home the gold medal. His presence in the paint and shot-blocking abilities make him a nightmare to opponents who want to drive into the lane. In their semi-final contest against Slovenia, Luka Doncic was continually put off by the center's ability to switch and his positioning under the basket.