2023-06-28 23:22:57
Absent but ubiquitous. Number one in the NBA draft and now San Antonio Spurs players, Victor Wembanyama was on everyone’s lips this Wednesday evening during coach Vincent Collet’s press conference which revealed the list of twelve players for the next World Cup – in Indonesia and in the Philippines, from August 25 to September 10. A list that did not include the 19-year-old prodigy who announced this weekend his wish to “omit” the competition to preserve his body. “Disappointed”, the coach said he understood the position of the one he trained all season at the Mets and did not hide his ambitions for the Asian meeting.
Victor Wembanyama has announced his decision not to participate in the World Cup until this weekend. Has this decision made your list more complex?
VINCENT COLLET. Yes it was already a complicated list to compose and especially that it had to be recomposed at the last moment. We found out late about Victor. But even without this package, it was difficult to develop. We had a lot of food for thought. We have, I think, never had so many meetings with my assistants as this year, face-to-face and calls. Clearly it was complicated. This is also explained by our desire to choose the 12 right away. Choices had to be made beforehand. But it also provides benefits later on.
How did you react to Wembanyama’s decision?
Obviously I was a little surprised and disappointed. Any coach should have their best players in any competition. I consider that Victor was already one of the important players but I know all the issues. I don’t think we measure what he’s going through right now, what he’s been going through since he set foot on American soil. It’s not just a 1st round draft, it’s number 1 and announced as a game changer. There are a lot of expectations, things around him. Those around him feared overheating. It’s like that. Afterwards, you have to know how to switch and project yourself with a team that I find really competitive and which can allow us to nurture real ambitions.
Victor Wembanyama has always repeated his desire to play with the team of the team, do you feel betrayed for his decision?
He was sincere when he said it before. It was really a reflection with those around him that led him to this decision. Victor is young, fresh, enthusiastic, he loves the France team. In none there is this feeling (of betrayal). It’s a disappointment like any coach who wants to have his best players. I’m sorry but it’s not those terms.
Does his absence at this World Cup call into question his presence for the Paris Games in 2024?
We are counting on him for Paris and we are counting on Victor who will have a year in the NBA behind him, a year working with Gregg Popovich and therefore who will therefore be even stronger than he is today. For me there is no impact compared to Paris 2024. Victor he likes the game. He is only 19 years old, don’t forget, he is a kid. It’s a decision that doesn’t totally belong to him, that’s normal.
How has his absence changed your list?
The four interior players selected (Yabusele, Lessort, Fall and Gobert) were present in the list and would have accompanied Victor Wembanyama. The consequence was on the winger positions. We could have put an interior back but we wanted to give ourselves the possibility of playing Nicolas Batum in position 4 for his quality of passing. Last year (at the Euro) we dominated inside but we had trouble serving our players, the return of Nando De Colo and Nicolas Batum should help us.
This team will be used to prepare the Games?
Basketball is a team sport. There will be some changes but we will use this competition to be a base for our team in 2024.
Evan Fournier has played very little this season with the New York Knicks, how to manage this situation?
We know him, he is pawing with impatience, but we will also have to preserve him. The friendly matches will allow him to pick up the pace. There are negatives and positives in every situation. He must have teeth that scratch the floor. He still has a strong desire to play, it will be increased tenfold. But we have to wait a few warm-up matches to see how it will be and we will adapt. Maybe the fact that he hasn’t played much will help.
France is one of the favorites for this World Cup?
We have the ambition to be among the favorites but we know our sport, many teams can claim this status. At the Euro the best team on paper did not pass the 8th. We stay on 3 international podiums, it’s good but it’s in the past. Our luck with this team is that we have a lot of experience. When we look at the Tokyo Games (2021), which is our best performance in recent years, we find the main players this year. We hope to write our story and make it even more beautiful. But we know it will be difficult.
How do the returns of Nando De Colo and Nicolas Batum change things?
It changes a lot in terms of experience. Both were there in 2013 (when France were crowned European champions) and even in 2009. They are the most experienced players, great players. One of their qualities is that they are facilitators. It will be easier for Evan Fournier to evolve alongside them, in the past he was identified as the ultimate threat.
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