In the same year that French phenom and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama won NBA Rookie of the Year and unveiled the heretofore unseen
possibilities of what a 7-foot-4 basketball player could do on that court, the 2024 Olympics are in his country.
During the Olympics, even more people can see Wembanyama’s ability and potential, his home fans can celebrate him and his corporate partners can push products featuring his image.
“I’ve been preparing for it since I first saw the Olympics on TV, and as I grew up it became a goal,” Wembanyama told reporters earlier this summer. “It’s a unique event in sport, the biggest event in the world.”
But it doesn’t take long at the Olympics for France’s men’s 5×5 basketball team’s best plans to go askew. While Wembanyama has provided exciting
plays, France’s play has generated public bickering between players and Coach Vincent Collet, especially after Germany’s 85-71 victory over France to win Group B
put France in a quarterfinal matchup against Team Canada. The loser will not have a chance to medal.
With the Games in Paris, there is pressure on France to medal, and that pressure is taking a toll. After France
failed to reach the knockout round of last year’s FIBA World Cup, Nic Batum said, “I’m scared to go home because we let a lot of people down.”
As players and coach sort through this week’s the finger-pointing, Wembanyama said ahead of the Tuesday’s quarterfinals game, “I have this feeling of responsibility.”
On the court in three Olympics games, Wembanyama has delivered monster dunks, blocks and steals. He averaged 17 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.0 blocks.
He is trying to enjoy the experience. He may not be the face of the Olympics, but eyes are on him. And he’s on the verge of becoming the face of the NBA for the next 12-15 seasons, at least.
