France, Aug. 27 -- Nearly three years after losing the European championship final to Spain, France start their new campaign on Thursday night against Belgium in Katowice without NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.

Wembanyama, 21, will miss the tournament as he continues his recovery from the a blood clot on his right shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season in February.

Gobert, 33, who has played for 12 seasons in the NBA, stepped away from international duties to ensure full fitness for the launch of the NBA season in October.

In their absence, France head coach Frederic Fauthoux will look to NBA star Guerschon Yabusele to guide a crop of youngsters through the Group D games against Slovenia, Israel, Poland and Iceland.

"If w...