NBA franchises hoping to host him have been put on notice. Whatever the outcome of the June draft, Victor Wembanyama does not want to miss the next international meeting of the French national team, specifically this summer’s 2023 World Cup (August 25 to September 10) in Southeast Asia.
“My wish is to be in the French national team this summer”: the new star of French basketball, was resounding this Tuesday about this deadline, for which the blues are already qualified.
He wants to go to the World Cup to gain experience
“I don’t want to miss this event at all,” explained the 19-year-old interior, a big favorite for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft scheduled for early summer and whose presence could be questioned depending on the franchise that will host him.
Wembanyama (2.21m), currently developing at Boulogne-Levallois under national team coach Vincent Collet, has two caps for the Blues and is already a must-see ahead of Thursday’s trip to the Czech Republic and host Lithuania next thursday Sunday as part of the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.
“I hope to learn as much as possible from this World Cup to prepare for the Olympic Games,” Elite’s top scorer said during a press conference, a year and a half before the French Olympic meeting.
Diaw tempers the ardor of Wembanyama
“Decisions will be made later, maybe today, but maybe less in a month or two,” said Boris Diaw, general manager of the French national team.
“I think we have to wait; when making the selection, firm answers will be necessary (…) but we are not asking people to position themselves firmly on this date”, added the ex-manager of the Blues.