2024-01-09 04:16:17
He had already spoken on this subject. On his presence at the Paris Games in the summer of 2024. Last September, during a media point for the launch of the documentary devoted to him by Canal + – “Un1que” -, Victor Wembanyama announced his desire to be present in Paris in the summer, wearing the jersey of the French basketball team, to compete in the Olympic Games. “Succeeding in the Olympics would be a great story,” explained the number 1 in the NBA draft. There will be no goal other than gold. I will of course be present at the Olympic Games. »
These words then delighted and reassured basketball fans – in France and elsewhere. The person concerned repeated them on Sunday January 7. Questioned at a press conference after the short and frustrating defeat (117-115) in Cleveland – which for its part immediately took the plane for Europe and the now traditional NBA Paris Game played on Thursday January 11 at the Accor Arena against Brooklyn -, Wemby reiterated his desire to participate in the Paris Games. “It’s obviously the major event in French basketball for several years. If I’m selected and I’m available, I want to play, of course. »
The one who has just celebrated his 20th birthday – on January 4 – would then compete in his first major competition with the French basketball team. If he has already participated in youth championships (silver medalist at the Euro U16 in 2019 and the World U19 in 2021) and in four qualifying matches for the World Cup with the A, he had missed the Euro in 2022 due to a physical problem and the 2023 World Cup… by choice. An absence on which he also spoke during the press briefing this Sunday.
“It’s of course frustrating, but necessary,” he told the media on Sunday. I wanted to play. I want to play whenever I can represent my country. But the thing is, I want to be here for the next 15 years, not just for one summer. So we had to be intelligent, even if it is sometimes a difficult choice to make. »
A decision that he does not regret, but which increases his motivation to represent the blue tunic next summer.
5 counters for @Wemby tonight ????????????????????
His 4th allows him to reach the 100 mark in his career, becoming the 6th player in history to reach this figure in the first 35 matches (since 1973-74 and the start of counter tracking)#NBASundays pic.twitter.com/2enfRwpEcs
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) January 7, 2024
Furthermore, the former Nanterre, Asvel and Mets player entered NBA history a little more during the match in Cleveland. Despite the defeat, Wembanyama recorded another double-double by compiling 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks. He became the sixth player in the history of the prestigious basketball league to reach the 100 blocks mark (101 exactly) since 1973-74 during the first 35 games of the regular season. The Frenchie, who had to withdraw from 4 matches due to physical pain, only needed 31 matches to reach this symbolic bar. Only Shawn Bradley, Alonzo Mourning, Manute Bol, Terry Tyler and Shaquille O’Neal did as well.
Despite this new feat, Wembanyama and the Spurs remain stuck in last place in the NBA’s western conference with a poor record of 30 losses for 5 wins.
#play #Wembanyama #reaffirms #desire #compete #Paris #Games