Basketball icons Anthony, Gasol and Popovich on hand in Paris for France-Canada matchup
Former NBA basketball player Carmelo Anthony watches Spain and Germany compete during a women's 3x3 basketball gold medal game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Franklin II]
PARIS (AP) — Some of the most celebrated players in international basketball history turned out when Victor Wembanyama and France played in Paris for the first time since the start of the Olympics. Carmelo Anthony, who became the first player from any country to win three gold medals as part of the U.S. Olympic team’s efforts in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, was at Bercy Arena to see France beat Canada 82-73 in the quarterfinals. Also in attendance was former U.S. coach Gregg Popovich, who guided the Americans to the gold in Tokyo in 2021 and is Wembanyama’s NBA coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Pau Gasol of Spain, a three-time medal winner, also attended.
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Former NBA basketball player Carmelo Anthony waves after doing the "three ground strikes" ritual prior to a men's basketball game between the United States and Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Conroy