Victor Wembanyama was a vital a part of the French 2024 Olympics roster and was devastated once they misplaced the Gold medal sport to France.
The 2024 Paris Olympics led to one of many biggest worldwide tournaments in basketball historical past. The 2 standout nations have been the USA and France, who in the end met within the Gold medal sport. Victor Wembanyama was going to be France’s x-factor, however he couldn’t make them the win.
Workforce USA beat France 98-87 within the Gold medal sport. It was the second Olympics in a row the place France misplaced the ultimate to the USA, however this was Wembanyama’s first look. It got here on the finish of a profitable rookie marketing campaign within the NBA the place he was awarded the Rookie of the 12 months unanimously.
Although the USA introduced a ‘Dream Workforce,’ Wembanyama and France have been hoping to tug off a generation-defining upset. They failed in that course of, with the loss hitting Wembanyama laborious.
Netflix’s ‘Court docket of Gold’ mini-series confirmed precisely how a lot that loss damage Victor Wembanyama.
In ‘Court docket of Gold,’ Victor Wembanyama could be seen brazenly weeping after the loss to Workforce USA. It additionally reveals how how a coach and teammate Guerschon Yabusele tried to lift his morale after securing the Silver medal.
French coach – “Be proud, Victor. You gave all you had tonight. That’s what issues, be proud. We miss some pictures, some groups are stronger than us. What issues is giving your finest, so be pleased with your self and your workforce.”
Guerschon Yabusele – “We’ve come a good distance. We completed second place and honored our jersey at residence. It sucks as a result of it’s these… This so-called ‘Dream Workforce.’ That’s what sucks. however we’re right here bro. Thanks, for every part that you simply’ve executed.”
Wembanyama shook off his emotions earlier than talking to the media, the place the then-20-year-old issued a prophetic warning to everybody.
“I’m studying. I’m fearful for the opponents in a few years. NBA and in all places.”
[Court of Gold] Wemby’s feelings after shedding within the gold medal sport to USA and warning to opponents in future competitions
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Victor Wembanyama put up 26 factors (11-16 FG) and 7 rebounds within the Gold medal sport. He led France in scoring, with teammate Yabusele scoring 20 factors (6-14 FG) as the one different participant to crack 20 factors.
We’ve seen many unbelievable prospects come by the NBA, however not everybody lives as much as the hype. Some are billed as generational however can’t reside as much as that tag amidst more durable competitors within the NBA. This has by no means been an issue with Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby averaged 21.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and three.6 blocks in his rookie season. This made him the primary rookie to make the All-Defensive First Workforce, ending as runner-up within the DPOY race. He’s anticipated to be the clear frontrunner for the award this season, averaging 24.3 factors, 11.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and three.8 blocks.
He’s coming off his first All-Star look, with stars similar to LeBron James and Jalen Brunson just lately marveling at his potential. Frustratingly he’ll miss the remainder of the NBA season attributable to a well being problem.
His San Antonio Spurs aren’t Playoff-caliber simply but, at the moment having a 23-29 document for the No. 12 seed within the West. The addition of De’Aaron Fox ought to increase their probabilities, but it surely looks as if they’ll develop into true contenders from subsequent season onward.
If Wembanyama continues creating the way in which now we have seen over his first two seasons, his warning to opponents within the NBA and the world over would possibly simply be a essential one.