Matthew Strazel says it would have been a shame to miss the free throw after making the tough three.
France was just seconds away from a major upset at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but then Matthew Strazel said his word. The AS Monaco guard nailed a crucial 3+1 play on France's final possession of the fourth quarter, tying the game against Japan at 84.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
30
|
| Victor Wembanyama | |
| Points | 18 |
| Accuracy | 6-13 |
| Rebounds | 11 |
| Assists | 6 |
The match went into overtime, where France secured a 94-90 victory over the Asian powerhouse.
"I was free, I was confident. At that moment, I didn't feel much," Strazel described his now-famous shot to BeBasket. "Rudy Gobert made me a great pass. I put myself in a preferred position: when I go out to the left, these are shots that I like. There you go, with a bit of luck and a bit of talent, the ball went in. I'm happy to snatch this overtime that turned into a victory.
What did he feel when the ball went in?
"It's hard to describe. It was a bit empty in my head," the 21-year-old said. "I was just super happy and quickly focused on the free throw. Because making a shot like that and missing the free throw would have been a shame. But the free throw is just me and a move I've been making for 14 years. The basket and me. Thank God, it fell in.
Strazel also said that it was the biggest shot of his career.
"It's the greatest moment of my career, the biggest shot of my career so far. Making a shot like that to force overtime in front of 27,000 people, I don't think it happens every day," he concluded.
France-Japan highlights:
France Basketball Olympics 2024 schedule
| Game | Time | Date | TV | Score |
| vs. Brazil | 5:15 p.m. CET/11:15 a.m. ET | July 27 | France Télévisions/Peacock | 78-66 |
| vs. Japan | 5:15 p.m. CET/11:15 a.m. ET | July 30 | France Télévisions/Peacock | 94-90 |
| vs. Germany | 9 p.m. CET/3 p.m. ET | August 2 | France Télévisions/Peacock | TBD |
