It couldn't stop like this, so abruptly. Victor Wembanyama couldn't join America, the NBA and his new life as a star in San Antonio by leaving the France on a loss in Game 3 of the championship quarterfinals. Without offending Cholet, we wanted a little more. Everyone wants to make the most of the giant's XXL talent (2.21 m).
Caviar @lahaouKonate for Wemby
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However, there was a huge risk that Victor Wembanyama's adventure in France would end this Thursday night against Cholet. Winners of the first game of the series on May 21 (93-80), the Mets had lost the revenge in the Mauges (83-80). So it took a nice one to decide between them, this Thursday. In case of defeat, the Mets could go on vacation, Wemby in the draft and Vincent Collet with the France team. The coach, under exclusive contract with the federation next season to prepare Paris 2024, will also leave the club once the season is over.
"We know that the Asvel will not let go and come here with fangs"
For him either, it could not end in pudding. Not while a best-of-5 semi-final against Asvel, the former club of "Wemby". Not when the phenomenon could play in front of Tony Parker, the owner of the Asvel, the one he will follow in Texas. Not when it is whispered that Gregg Popovich, the legendary coach of the Spurs, could make the trip to admire on this occasion his future nugget.
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"We wanted to finish the job," said Boulogne-Levallois captain Lahaou Konate at the microphone of beIn Sports. Tuesday, it was a hard defeat, we found ourselves with our backs to the wall, it feels good to go to the semis. We are a young team, which learns from its mistakes, after Cholet the coach's speech remotivated us, it proves that we have character. The Asvel? It's the three-time champion, a team that's built for the title, a big team with big players. We know that the Asvel will not let go and come here with the fangs. »
A match relocated to the Accor Arena against Asvel
Under the eyes, as for Game 1, of Rudy Gobert divided between his training club and the exploits of Wemby that he has known for a long time, the Mets made sure to continue the adventure. They started perfectly by leading the first quarter (20-11). The future number 1 of the NBA draft made his start of the game: 6 points to start but especially some nice passes and rebounds to disgust the opponent.
The Mets took off until the break (42-24) and Wembanyama continued to hover. A spectacular little dunk there (34-20), a left hand here: he too did not want to cross the Atlantic too early. The title of champion of France, the second for him after the one won with Asvel last year, he holds it. Having done the hardest at the break, the Mets pretty much managed the last 20 minutes. But they trembled a little late in the game when Cholet, who hung on until the end, came back to -7 (76-69, 38th). The scenario of the match played 48 hours earlier has returned to people's minds. But the Mets, this time, came out 81-69.
" READ ALSO "San Antonio, the most beautiful thing that could happen to Wembanyama": Ian Mahinmi, former player of the Spurs
Wemby gave himself a stat sheet with 19 points, 62% success, 9 rebounds and a few moves that we will review. The Mets are qualified for the semifinals of the championship where Villeurbanne awaits them. The first round will take place this Sunday, May 28. The duel promises to be indecisive. The second leg of the duel, on Tuesday, May 30, will take place at the Accor Arena.
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