By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following his first campaign in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama focuses on expanding his international career to the 2024 Olympic Games. Before returning to the United States for a few days, he talked about his role with the senior national team of France on Saturday.
“I am happy to be on the preliminary list,” he smiled referring to call-ups announced by the French Federation of Basketball, per L’Equipe, “It will be an honor to share the court with such experienced players.”
Labeled as the new leader of Les Bleus heading to the Olympic Games in the comfort of playing on his home soil, Wemby rushed to adjust expectations regarding his role under the guidance of head coach Vincent Collet.
“We all want to succeed and follow the plan. We know that we will have a different team profile. We will have to be innovative. Vincent knows it,” he explained.
“I am here to learn from some of the best players in the history of the national team. I am not here to explain anything to players with five, six, or seven international campaigns under their belts. For sure, I will have responsibilities, but they will be realistic. I will have as many as necessary,” he added.
The 20-year-old center of the San Antonio Spurs will return to Texas and continue an offseason maintenance program before formally joining forces with his international teammates to launch the training camp on June 17.
“The schedule is shaped according to my training plan until starting camp with the national team,” he said, “I have been dreaming of experiencing the Olympic Games for a very long time.”
Placed in Group B of the preliminary round, France battles Germany, Japan, and the winner of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia between July 27 and August 2, for a berth in the Quarterfinals of the Olympic Games.