Victor Wembanyama reiterates commitment to play for France in 2024 Paris Olympics

No. 1 total NBA Draft select Victor Wembanyama has voiced his commitment to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics for his house nation of France. This must come as no marvel, given he is expressed pastime in representing France earlier than, however he reiterated that commitment once more on Tuesday whilst talking to French media.

“Succeeding in the Olympics would be a great story, and there will be no goal other than gold,” Wembanyama told French newspaper L’Equipe. “Of course, I will be present at the Olympics.”

The French nationwide group receives an automated bid into the 2024 Olympics because the host nation, which is a superb factor making an allowance for how poorly the group performed all through the FIBA World Cup closing month. Wembanyama made up our minds to skip the World Cup match in order to get ready for his rookie season in the NBA, however France may just’ve desperately used him after completing 18th in the match. France failed to make it out of the primary spherical of workforce play, going simply 1-2 in their 3 video games. And in spite of Wembanyama no longer competing along with his countrymen, he nonetheless watched the match.

“I watched the FIBA World Cup, and the result was very disappointing,” Wembanyama mentioned. “However, I am not worried. I have no judgment to make; I was not on the team, and it is in the hands of top-level players. I feel that this does not alter the opportunity to do something big in Paris next year.”

Adding Wembanyama to a French roster that will even most likely come with three-time Defensive Player of the Year large guy Rudy Gobert, in addition to different NBA gamers in Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier will lead them to a perilous group subsequent summer season. While the World Cup appearing used to be a disappointing effort, France did win a silver medal on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, falling to Team USA in the gold medal sport. 

There’s additionally the chance that France may just upload reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid if he comes to a decision to go well with up for The Blues over Team USA. With or with out Embiid regardless that. Wembanyama by myself may just lead them to a contender to win gold on their house flooring in Paris subsequent summer season.