The recipe is known.
She is always effective.
For its 36th edition, the LNB All Star Game has once again filled up at Bercy.
Mascots, various and varied activities, contests and festive atmosphere... The crowd gathered at the Accor Arena got their money's worth and the viewers of
beIN SPORTS
were not disappointed either.
An audience that had its eyes on Victor Wembanyama, the attraction of the day, for what should be his first and last all-star game before joining the NBA.
The 18-year-old star did not disappoint.
27 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks for the unicorn of Boulogne-Levallois, who guided Team France to victory over the team from the rest of the world (136-128) and won the title of MVP (best player).
The 2.21m giant grew in power over the course of the meeting and made his presence felt on both sides of the field, without forcing more than that.
Like a big.
25 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for Juhann Begarin, who could have claimed the MVP.
32 points for James Palmer Jr, top scorer for Team World.
After the Skills challenge, won by TJ Campbell, and the first round of the three-point contest, fatal to Wembanyama and Nando De Colo, it's time for the main course.
Speaking of resistance, there weren't many in the French clan.
Led by a boiling Palmer Jr, the World team had the best start (15-31).
"
I think some have ideas, but I wouldn't say names
“, said coach Vila on Wednesday, referring to potential contenders for the title of MVP.
He was probably thinking among others of the JL Bourg player, in fusion with his 18 points at 7/10 on shots, including 4/7 from afar.
Festival.
Wemby?
At first shy, before getting excited and attacking the circle instead of shooting.
Why make it complicated when you can make it simple?
Pushed back to -17 in the first quarter and again to -15 after 10 minutes, Team France recovered and reduced the gap against the arrows of the world, with in particular Juhann Begarin to assist Wembanyama: 22 pts between them at the break.
It even went back under 10 points difference (53-61) on a triple signed Hugo Benitez and again before the break (64-73, 64-75 MT).
Air Pons delights the crowd, Wembanyama takes control
A break marked by the talent of the so-called Yves Pons.
Or rather, Air Pons, the Asvel player who well deserved his nickname by winning the dunk contest, including a smash on the head… of Wembanyama.
"
Bouna, Jérémy, go have a coffee
," laughed the announcer, calling out to the giant's agents, Bouna N'Diaye and Jérémy Medjana.
Imagine a bit of an accident for the 18-year-old prodigy… In the end, it was the circle that took the price, Pons dominating Begarin, on all fronts, in the final of this rather well-crafted dunk contest.
It's rare.
yves
Yves Pons made the show during the dunk contest.
JULIAN DE ROSA / AFP
Back to the game. Short return for the French, despite the efforts of Palmer Jr. Who else than Wembanyama to allow his team to turn in the lead on a three-point action (87-86).
"Wemby" had clearly taken control and the address fled the players of Laurent Vila (104-94).
An address that this fan did not have, designated to attempt the famous shoot at 100,000 euros, between the third and fourth quarters.
After the gaudriole, it started to play harder over the minutes, with Team Monde still in the hunter's position, not far (112-109).
Wembanyama was in the oven and in the mill, but not enough to clinch Team World.
Two points difference with two minutes to play (126-124).
At least until this hat-trick by retreating super hard from Hugo Besson (129-124).
Tight end to the game, a few throws,
suspense.
Coup de grace with this luminous pass from… Wembanyama for Begarin with 9 seconds to play (133-126, then 136-128 final score).
“I have no objective… apart from winning,” he said on Wednesday.
This is exactly what he reaped on Thursday during this ASG that will go down in history because of him.
All Star Game
: Team France
All Star Game MVP
: Victor Wembanyama (Boulogne-Levallois)
Skills Challenge
: TJ Campbell (Cholet)
Three-point shooting contest
: Nicolas Lang (Limoges)
Dunk contest
: Yves Pons (Asvel)