By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Beaten 3-0 in the Betclic ÉLITE final in France with the Metropolitans 92 by AS Monaco, Victor Wembanyama played his last match in the French league before flying to the United States and the NBA.
“I feel like I’m closing part of my life, but for my loved ones too. It’s the end of one stage and the beginning of a new one. Everyone congratulated me for what I did this year and wished me good luck for the future. I’m prepared for the NBA, I have no worries“, Wembanyama said via Be Basket.
The public very often chanted “Wenby, Wenby”, is this a memory that you will keep in mind, especially at Roland-Garros?
“Yes, it is a memory that I will keep in mind. It makes me happy to give this opportunity to people to come and see a basketball game here in a unique place. It is a unique place“.
How did you feel at the end of the game?
“I didn’t think it was the last because I wanted to win, but in the end it was special… But I’m reassured at the same time because I’ll be playing matches again in France with the national team“.
Did you expect to achieve such a season?
“In my dreams and my goals, I wanted to win the French championship. There are still obstacles on the road but it is still an honor to have been able to look AS Monaco in the eye in two of the three matches. The Roca Team certainly finished third in the EuroLeague but for me, it is one of the 30 best teams in the world (NBA included). If I take stock of this season, I am proud of this young group, so united. We had ups and downs but we always knew how to bounce back. We worked, we got hurt. We arrived at a stage of the competition where we were not necessarily expected. When I look at my team and everything that’s happened, I’m just proud of my guys“.
What will you take away from these finals?
“I know there will be challenges in my future career in the NBA. And for me, they only serve to prove to us that we deserve to receive a reward in the end. Each trial serves to prove to me that I deserve to receive the reward in the end. Each defeat is more a lesson than anything else. Personally, and this is my main line of progress, I have to manage to stay intense for long minutes when the coach needs me“.
Between ASVEL and the Metroplitans 92, in which area have you evolved the most today?
“For me, beyond the physical aspect, which I still have to work on at my age, I have to gain leadership and succeed in managing responsibilities. I do not even know if in the French championship, a player had as many responsibilities as me with the Mets 92. This charge is what made me progress the most. Especially with a mentor like Vincent (Collet)“.