Winner of Lithuania (90-65) then Bosnia (92-56), the France team has validated its ticket for the 2023 World Cup for good. This will take place from August 25 to September 10 in the other side of the world in Indonesia and the Philippines with a final phase in Japan.
European vice-champions, Olympic vice-champions and bronze medalists at the last edition in China in 2019, the Blues will be among the big favorites of the tournament.
This will be even more the case if coach Vincent Collet can go to Asia with all his vital forces: Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, Nando de Colo and… Victor Wembanyama.
Let's move on to the Joel Embiid file, the overpowered pivot from Philadelphia who scored 59 points on Sunday in the NBA.
French naturalized, it could also be adventure.
But this is another story.
SIGNATURE MOVE 😮💨#TeamFranceBasket x @vicw_32 |
#PassionatelyBlue |
#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/Jn4j9sJkbX
– French Basketball Teams (@FRABasketball) November 15, 2022
There remains the Wembanyama case.
What seemed to be only a fantasy could well become a reality.
To the delight of the Blues.
The alien (as LeBron James calls him) has just honored his first two selections by scoring 20 points against the Lithuanians and 19 against the Bosnians.
He has already made himself indispensable.
“Against Bosnia, recognizes Vincent Collet, he had an average match.
But as he is an exceptional player, even when he is average, he is still quite good.
A diagnosis confirmed by leader Andrew Albicy: “He brings us a lot of things.
He's tall, shoots, can do anything on the pitch.
It is an additional weapon, which can take the French team to a new level”.
Read alsoFive meals a day, Star Wars, Lego and Scrabble… who is Victor Wembanyama on a daily basis?
So it's settled: Victor Wembanyama has left for a long, very long lease in Blue and he will be in the Far East next summer for the World Cup.
Everyone wants it, starting with him who (re)discovered a boundless love for the blue-white-red jersey.
"We couldn't have asked for better," he says.
From a sporting point of view, it was a dream.
The NBA will be a whole new world, but I want to be at the World Cup in 2023.”
End of debate?
No, because in basketball, nothing is simple.
The desire alone and the choice of the coach unlike other sports are not enough.
At the time of the World Cup, the planetary phenomenon will be drafted in the NBA in number 1, no one doubts it at this time.
The Draft will take place on June 22 and it is the franchise, a private institution, let us remember, in which he will land who will dictate his rules.
Will she agree to release him for almost two months with the risk of injury when he has just arrived and will be paid a high price?
Not sure.
The NBA is generally reluctant to release its stars for international windows.
When she accepts it, the insurance of the players reaches astronomical sums.
However, only two factors suggest that it is possible.
A tight but not incompatible schedule
First, the schedule is not incompatible although it will be tight.
“It is not because players can be concerned with their career in the United States that we could not count on them.
The calendars do not conflict,” promises Vincent Collet who, with a smile that speaks volumes, seems confident about his protege's chances of being on the trip.
After the Draft, Wemby can participate in the Summer League, a summer competition that opposes the best young people from the NBA Franchises.
The preparation of the France team will begin around July 25.
The Summer League, scheduled until July 15-20 will be over.
First hurdle cleared?
Second, the prospect of Paris 2024 can change everything.
His franchise will release him for the Games, that's (almost) sure.
Its leaders who know basketball know that to be on top at the Olympics with a possible gold medal at the end, Wemby will have to live a campaign in Blue beforehand.
So the World Cup.
“Me, confirmed Nando de Colo at the start of the season, I like to have players who come a little before the big meetings.
I'm not a coach but it would be nice to have a World Cup squad that will allow us to go to the Olympics a year later.
»
Coupling the two adventures will be an argument that could affect the US league.
“The franchise that will have Victor will have a Draft number 1, thinks Jacques Monclar, the voice of basketball on BeIN Sports.
With a view to 2024, it would be a shame for him if she did not grant him this progress and that he could not participate in the World Cup.
Victor will change the potential of the France team.
There are some interesting young players among the Blues at the moment.
In my opinion, compared to the Euro team, there will be changes for the World Cup.
» Wembanyama to start?
