Evan Fournier returned from the FIBA World Cup after making a name for himself. With a staggering 27 points in the win against Lebanon, he became the all-time leading scorer with 285 points for France in World Cup play ahead of French teammate Nicolas Batum.
Evans, who has been in the news recently for his contribution to the French FIBA Team, is the latest NBA star to respond to the “World Champions” remark earlier made by Noah Lyles. One would typically think Evans will join other NBA stars in tearing Lyles’s comment apart. However, what Evan Fournier said in responding to Lyles’s remark would surprise the NBA community.
Evan Fournier responds to Noah Lyles’ remarks
Noah Lyles is an incredible American sprinter, who achieved great feats in track and field as he won three gold medals at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Lyles is currently seen as a menace in basketball after dismissing the magnitude of the NBA championship in a criticism of American professional sports winners referring to themselves as “world champions” after winning a league title.
“You know the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have ‘world champion’ on their head,” Noah Lyles. This assertion had earlier responses from NBA stars like Devin Booker, Aaron Gordon, Kevin Durant, etc.
"If you participate in the World Cup or even the Olympics and you win, you have the right to call yourself world champions. The way I look at is NBA champions… It's just a title."
Evan Fournier on Noah Lyles' recent comments
(via ESPN)pic.twitter.com/SEkRi7UEvu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 29, 2023
Evan Fournier plays for the New York Knicks of the NBA as a guard-forward with a taste of several appearances in world tournaments like the FIBA World Cup, Olympics, etc. Evan in response to ESPN questioned Lyles’ remarks on Tuesday. A report by ClutchPoints says: “If you participate in the World Cup or even the Olympics and you win, you have the right to call yourself world champions. The way I look at it is NBA champions… It’s just a title.” This means Evan supports what Noah Lyles said about the NBA “world champions.”
Evan Fournier trade rumors
Following his terrible time with the Knicks in 2022–2023, Fournier stated to L’Équipe’s Yann Ohnona last month that he anticipated being traded this offseason. However, ahead of the 2023–24 seasons, the star player Evan Fournier of the New York Knicks expressed his desire, but it appears that he is now considering the option of staying.
Evan Fournier told Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net. “As you know it’s not in my hands” If the Knicks want to keep me, I’ll have to stay, if they want to trade me I’ll have to go.” Fournier’s current contract is however set to expire after the 2024-25 season, which will make him an unrestricted free agent. However, Evans will pocket about $18.8 million this season in the third year of the four-year extension he signed. Fans will have to wait and see what happens before the season starts in October.
