Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs looks on after the press conference at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, April 24, 2023. /CFP
Victor Wembanyama, the first overall selection in the NBA Draft this year, has decided not to play in the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup for France.
"It would not be realistic in terms of development and not prudent in terms of health," Wemby told French newspaper L'Equipe. "I hope people will understand. It's frustrating for me, too. The France team is still central for me. I want to win as many titles as possible with the team. But I think it's a necessary sacrifice."
According to Wembanyama's calculation, he will play some 170 games in two years, including his rookie season for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and the Summer Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Under such circumstances, competing in the World Cup may overload Wembanyama, whose 2.24-meter height already makes him vulnerable to injuries.
Victor Wembanyama (L) of the San Antonio Spurs poses with his No. 1 jersey at the press conference at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, April 24, 2023. /CFP
Wemby's absence is bad news for France, who are in Group H with Canada, Latvia and Lebanon in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the World Cup. Though France don't have to fight for qualification for the men's basketball tournament in the Olympic Games in 2024 at home, they still want to go for a good result in the World Cup.
Back in 2019, France finished third in the World Cup in China while knocking out the USA in the quarterfinals. Two years later, they secured the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Judging by the list of players committed to playing for the USA in this year’s World Cup, they are unlikely to send the best squad they can assemble to the tournament, which gives France a good chance to compete for the title.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs shoots in practice after the press conference at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, April 24, 2023. /CFP
France will continue to count on three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as their core from the interior. He can be even more dominant defensively under FIBA rules than he is in the NBA, but Gobert's poor offensive skills have been a long-time problem for the team. Wembanyama's 3-point shooting ability and court vision could have been a great supplement for France.
After Wemby was selected by the Spurs with the first pick on draft night, the Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller from the University of Alabama with the No. 2 pick. The French unicorn was the center of attention for most of that night, which can be good motivation for Miller when he and the Hornets play Wembanyama and the Spurs in the NBA Summer League game at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, on July 3.