The Detroit Pistons say rookie Sekou Doumbouya is back in France while NBA play is on hold because of the coronavirus crisis.
The league recommended players avoid non-essential travel, but players — in concert with their team — could choose to go to another city and stay there. International travel could lead to logistical concerns if play resumes and a player faces hurdles returning to the U.S.
A Pistons spokesman says the team is aware that the 19-year-old Doumbouya is in France, and that he left to be closer to family during the pandemic.
Whether the Pistons knew Doumbouya was heading to France in advance is another question. Doumbouya had posts on Instagram of him back in France with family, which is how the move became public.
Detroit drafted Doumbouya in the first round last year. A native of Guinea, he moved to France when he was young and played there before coming to the Pistons.
He has averaged 6.4 points in 38 games for Detroit this season and is considered one of the rising stars of the last draft class.
