Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the world. Promised the highest honors for many years, the 19-year-old prodigy walked on the competition throughout the regular season with Boulogne-Levallois. Best scorer, rebounder and blocker, first player in the evaluation... All without mentioning the second place won by the Mets 92 in the standings, behind the untouchable AS Monaco but ahead of Asvel. "Wemby" has therefore logically made a raid during the LNB trophies, whose winners were unveiled this Wednesday on beIN SPORTS, he who had already been named MVP of the All Star Game at the end of last year, on the boards of the Accor Arena.
As in the last two seasons, the probable future player of San Antonio was named best young player of the championship of France ahead of Zaccharie Risacher (Asvel) and his teammate at Boulogne-Levallois, Bilal Coulibaly, who is also registered in the NBA Draft 2023. Note that the giant of 2.21m inherited this award with three different clubs, Nanterre in 2021, Lyon-Villeurbanne in 2022 and therefore Boulogne-Levallois in 2023. Unlikely.
What is even more important is that the native of Chesnay also took the title of best defender, ahead of the Monegasques Alpha Diallo and Yakuba Ouattara in the votes. He succeeds Ismaël Kamagate (Paris Basketball). And guess who won the title of best player? Victor Wembanyama, preferred to Americans Ronald March (Roanne) and Matt Morgan (Le Mans). These three players are also part of the five of the season alongside the legend of the tricolor Nando De Colo (Asvel) and Vitalis Chikoko (Pau-Orthez). Recall that the title of best player of the championship had already gone to a member of the Mets 92 in 2022, Will Cummings.
Monaco makes white cabbage
Last year, Vincent Collet won the trophy for best coach. The coach of Boulogne-Levallois was still in contention this year. However, it was Laurent Vila who was rewarded for his prowess at the head of Cholet. The third contender was Sasa Obradovic, coach of an ASM who therefore did not win any trophy. Never mind: after winning the France Cup, the Roca Team will advance as a big favorite in the play-offs. Before that, they will play the Euroleague Final 4 in Kaunas, with a semifinal against Olympiakos, her tormentor in the quarterfinals last season, on Friday. The final is Sunday.
The complete list of winners:
Best player: Victor Wembanyama (Boulogne-Levallois)Best defender: Victor Wembanyama (Boulogne-Levallois)Best hope: Victor Wembanyama (Boulogne-Levallois)Best coach: Laurent Vila (Cholet) Five of the season: Ronald March (Roanne), Matt Morgan (Le Mans), Nando De Colo (ASVEL), Vitalis Chikoko (Pau-Orthez), Victor Wembanyama (Boulogne-Levallois)