Victor Wembanyama impresses in his first game in the USA
Tipped as first pick for the next NBA draft, French player Victor Wembanyama already impressed for his first game in the United States on 4 October, finishing as top scorer and outshining another 2023 prospect.
Basketball
Eight months before the next NBA draft, American basketball teams and fans got to see the high potential of French player Victor Wembanyama up close on Tuesday (4 October).
The 18-year-old was playing for the first time in North America, as the main attraction of a pre-season game organised in Las Vegas between the Metropolitans 92 (his club in Paris) and the G League Ignite. This was the first of two matches between the Parisian club and the team from the G League, which is composed of some of the most promising players in the world.
It was also the chance to see two of the most promising players in the 2023 NBA Draft facing each other: Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.
The team from Paris, currently fifth in the French league, lost the match 115-122, but their young star player shone. He ended up the game with 37 points, 4 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Wembanyama seen as a special talent
During the game, Victor Wembanyama showed why he is regarded as something special. The France prospect has been as impressive defensively as offensively, with his ability behind the 3-point line. The 2.24m player blocked five shots, thanks to his 2.43 m wingspan, and scored 7 long distance shots. Everywhere on the court, he was praised for driving with the ball several times.
His performance impressed, for a first match with NBA rules. As top scorer in the game, he did better than his main rival for the NBA Draft 2023 first pick race.
Henderson finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals - very decent stats, yet he wasn't the player that everyone was talking about after the game in Las Vegas.
"He was incredible at some point," commented Wembanyama's coach Vincent Collet, who also happens to be the French national team coach.
"He is a very talented player," said Jason Hart, The G League Ignite coach.
Wembanyama will have another opportunity to impress on Thursday 6 October for the re-match in Las Vegas. The game between Metropolitans 92 and G League Ignite is scheduled at noon local time (9pm CET).
READ MORE: How to qualify for basketball at Paris 2024. The Olympics qualification system explained
Victor Wembanyama, future French national team star at Paris 2024 ?
Victor Wembanyama could have started with the French national team in the past few months. He was called in to the EuroBasket 2022 French squad, but was not physically fit enough to join the group. However, the power forward might start with the French team this season during the planned international breaks.
With the Metrpolitans 92, he had a very good start to the season with an average of 17,3 points, 8 rebounds, 2,3 assists and 2 blocks per game for the first 3 matches in the French league. Wembanyama is one of several french talents expected to be at their peak for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Despite the presence of top players Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert , France were without a few key names when they finished second at the European championships in September, and hopes are high for a medal at their home Olympics.
Nando de Colo and Nicolas Batum, the two most capped players on the team were not at the Euros but will come back in the team. The best scorer in the last NBA season Joel Embiid could also join them after recently being granted a French passport. Meanwhile, the new French generation will certainly gain experience with two more NBA seasons for players like Théo Maledon, Frank Ntilikina and Killian Hayes.
READ MORE: NBA Star Joel Embiid could play for France at Paris 2024 after being granted citizenship