Victor Wembanyama: “I will look at houses for sale in Texas”

2023-05-18 15:52:28

It’s not a last dance. It’s a real ballet. A masterpiece. Even his huge arms – and their span measured at 2.43m – are not enough to carry all the collected trophies. Wednesday afternoon, in the premises of BeIN Sports, broadcaster of the French championship, Victor Wembanyama carried out a real raid during the presentation of the Basketball League trophies. Elected in the 5 Major, he won the titles of best scorer, defender, blocker of the Betclic Elite. He also leaves with the trophies of best young – for the 3rd time – and MVP. A unique performance in the history of the Basketball League and which concluded perfectly a day started at night when he followed the NBA lottery live. A ceremony which offered the San Antonio Spurs the first choice for the next Draft. His future destination for the next few years “if all goes well”, smiles the giant of the Metropolitans who confided in the press.

What was your reaction to seeing that Spurs got the first choice of the next Draft?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA. There was a lot of emotion at the time. It was strong. I felt very lucky for what was happening but also to be with my family around me and lots of people who matter to me. I was especially happy to see that they were all happy.

Is San Antonio the ideal destination to launch your NBA career?

Yes, because there is a culture of winning and performance there. If all goes well I will go there, it was my favorite destination.

Does knowing the name of the team that will be able to choose you in first position during the draft change anything in your approach to the next playoffs?

It doesn’t change anything for basketball, which is my priority with performance and recovery. But in my spare time I’ll keep busy watching what’s being said about the draft, I’ll also look at houses for sale in Texas (he smiles).

Can your departure for the NBA have an impact on your presence with the France team this summer and next year at the Games?

It’s not a question or a negotiable option, I want to play the Games. My club career is as important as that with the France team. There’s no reason why I can’t play summers with my national team to win titles.

You have won all the individual titles at stake this season, which is a first in the history of the LNB…

Really ? I’m the first ? It’s to live these moments that I wear number 1. I always want to innovate, to do new things, especially if it’s positive. For me the greatest pride is the best young rider trophy, it adds even more value to others. I want to leave a trace of my passage.

Was the title of MVP a goal?

Yes of course. But for me an individual title is of no importance if it is not followed by a collective title. If they are sublime today, it is because we have secured 2nd place in the championship. If we had been relegated, they would not have meant so much to me. Wherever I go, I try to leave a positive mark and improve these places as much as possible. Seeing what’s happening in French basketball right now is one of my goals, I want to promote all that.

“There is no reason for my departure to stop this dynamic”

You are often compared to Mbappé for your appetite for trophies…

He already has a World Cup to his credit (in 2018). I don’t have many collective titles and I still have to prove at international level.

How do you view the evolution of the French championship?

It is French basketball in general that is benefiting from a great dynamic and an increasing attractiveness. We see with the number of relocated matches this year and I think that will continue. I have a part in it, I know that, but most of those matches have been played without me, which means they don’t need me to offer them. There is no reason for my departure to stop this dynamic.

Are you relieved that the dates of the playoffs have been changed and advanced to allow you to stay until the end of the finals if the Mets are qualified?

Yes, it’s a relief. I realized this at the start of the season and it has always been a problem for me. That I could miss a game of the finals because of the draft, which would have happened with the old dates, was inconceivable. It makes sense to move the dates forward. To respect equal opportunities in the playoffs, it would not have been fair otherwise.

How would you define your collaboration with your trainer Vincent Collet?

The big difference with previous years is the responsibilities I had on the pitch. Vincent has rubbed shoulders with many players in his career, who were in the situation I’m going through this year, and he was able to guide me. The most notable progress is to have been able to chain these victories and my individual performances despite the adaptations of the opponents and the defenses which are tightening. Often, players who perform well at the start of the season have their stats drop afterwards. Our merit is to have been able to remain constant over the year.

Can the Mets claim the championship title in the playoffs?

We managed a collectively satisfying regular season (the club finished in 2nd place behind Monaco) but I have this feeling of wanting to end on an exceptional note and not just a good one before I leave.