By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama might figure out soon where he’ll continue his career this summer, but that didn’t stop him from shining once again in the French Betclic Elite League and leading Metropolitans 92 to 93-85 victory over Paris Basketball.
The French phenomenon is expected to be the No. 1 pick at the upcoming NBA Draft, and tonight’s (02.00 am CET) draft lottery will determine who’ll get the right to choose first.
Still, Wembanyama gave his best once more and led Metropolitans to the 23rd victory of the regular season in France, with 22 points and nine rebounds. He played a crucial role in the dying moments, scoring seven points in the last two minutes to help his team stay in front and win.
Devante Jones followed him with 21 points, Barry Brown added 14, while Tashawn Thomas finished the match with 13 points and ten boards in Vincent Collet’s team.
For Paris, who didn’t make it to the playoffs as ninth on the standings, Tyrone Wallace had 20 points with eight rebounds, Kyle Allman added 19 points, Chris Goulding 12, while Aamir Simms finished with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Monaco lost heavily without most of the first team members
In the final round, Monaco lost to Ada Blois 107-76, with only seven players taking the field.
Sasa Obradovic left out most of his key players in the last round of the LNB Pro A since the EuroLeague Final Four is coming, and Monaco had secured first place in the standings.
Yoan Makoundou led league leaders with a double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Matthew Strazel also recorded a double-double with 17 points and ten assists. Youngster Mohammad Amini finished with 12 points.
Mbaye Ndiaye led the winning side with 19 points, Tyren Johnson added 13, while Tyus Battle, Bruno Cingala Mata, and Thomas Cornely scored 12 points each.
ASVEL finished third, will face Le Mans in the playoffs
LDLC ASVEL defeated JL Bourg 85-82 in the last match before the playoffs and finished third in the standings with a 22-11 score.
Nando De Colo finished the match with 18 points, Yves Pons added 14, Antoine Diot 12, and Dee Bost 11 points for T.J. Parker’s team.
Jordan Floyd led Bourg with 16 points, Amida Braimah and James Palmer added 13, and Pierre Pelos scored 11.
With Round 34 completed, the playoff picture is painted fully. Monaco will face SIG Strasbourg in the quarterfinals; Metropolitans is paired with Cholet, ASVEL will meet Le Mans, while Dijon is going against JL Bourg.
Pau-Orthez and Fos-sur-Mer got relegated, finishing the season in the last two positions in the standings.
Betclic Elite Round 34 results:
Roanne – Strasbourg 88-92
Pau-Orthez – Cholet 85-81
Le Portel – Dijon 89-75
Le Mans – Nanterre 88-74
JL Bourg – ASVEL 82-85
Gravelines – Nancy 88-93 OT
Fos-sur-Mer – Limoges 73-77
Metropolitans – Paris 93-85
Ada Blois – Monaco 102-76
Final Betclic Elite standings:
1. Monaco 26-8
2. Metropolitans 23-11
3. LDLC ASVEL 22-11
4. Dijon 21-13
5. JL Bourg 19-15
6. Le Mans 19-15
7. Cholet 18-16
8. Strasbourg 17-17
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9. Paris 16-18
10. Gravelines 16-18
11. Roanne 15-19
12. Le Portel 15-19
13. Nanterre 14-20
14. Nancy 14-20
15. Limoges 14-20
16. Ada Blois 14-20
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17. Pau-Orthez 12-22
18. Fos-sur-Mer 10-24