May 10, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum (88) is introduced before game three of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Even without Tony Parker and Joakim Noah, the French national team fell only one win shy of competing for a gold medal this summer in the FIBA World Cup. And the big reason for that was the play of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Nicolas Batum, who put the team on his back during their nine games.
In France’s bronze medal run, Batum averaged a team-high 14.6 points per game on 48.9 percent shooting from the field and 32.6 percent from three. More importantly, though, he saved his best for last, scoring 35 points on 8-for-12 shooting from 3-point range in the team’s semifinals loss to Serbia, and another 26 points in their final game — a 95-93 victory over Lithuania.
As a result of his strong play, Batum was honored as an honorary citizen by the city of Pont-l’Évêque on Wednesday — a small commune in the northwest of France (population: 4,202). The significance of the region is that it is where Batum’s career began 11 years ago.
"“For our young people, you are the sponsor, you embody hope. You vehicle a positive image of the city, especially as you regularly have a few words to us in your interviews, ” said Mayor Yves Deshayes, in presenting the medal of the city. Pont-l’Évêque. The medal of the city to basketball Nicolas Batum | Ouest France"
Batum also posted a picture on Instagram of his new medal, with the caption: “Thank you to my hometown of Pont-l’Évêque. I was appointed honorary citizen of the city. Thank you very much.”
Pont-l’Évêque is known primarily for its soft cheese, so, as cool as it must be to be honored as an honorary citizen of any city around the world, hopefully Batum is set for delicious cheese for the rest of his life. And even if he isn’t, congrats are in order.