Projected 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama dominated for France in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers on Monday. Wembanyama finished with 19 points, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks and three 3-pointers as France beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 92-56.
Wembanyama helped France secure a berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He also set Twitter on fire with some of his impressive offensive moves for his height. This includes the 7-foot-3 big man hitting a crazy one-legged 3-pointer off the dribble with just over five minutes left in the game.
Such plays have NBA fans and front offices salivating over the potential of landing Wembanyama in next year.
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The game marked Wembanyama’s second game with France’s senior team in the FIBA Qualifiers. He made his debut on Friday in Frances’s 90-65 blowout win against Lithuania. Wembanyama finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in just 23 minutes of that game.
Before his appearances in the FIBA Qualifiers, Victor Wembanyama spoke about what it means to him to be able to play for his country.
“I have already played in the French youth team and that always gives me extra motivation. It is very important for me. I also find it in my teammates, in my opponents: fighting for your country is totally different, it gives you greater energy,” Wembanyama said.
After winning both games in the fifth qualifying window, France is now 8-2. They are tied with Lithuania for the best record in Group K. Both countries have now advanced to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup from Group K. Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary are now fighting for the third and final World Cup berth in Group K.
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place from August 25 to September 10, 2023.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to Victor Wembanyama’s insane potential
Count Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo among those impressed Wembanyama's skills. In a recent appearance on teammate Serge Ibaka’s show “How Hungry Are You?”, Antetokounmpo raved about Wembanyama’s potential.
"When this kid comes, you have to get ready," Antetokounmpo said.
"Because if you're not ready, this kid is going to be a problem. I've never seen this before in my life. I saw him up close, he was on the same team as my brother. He's taller than Rudy Gobert, he can block shots like Rudy but shoot like KD," Antetokounmpo continued.
Comparing an 18-year-old to one of the greatest wing scorers of all time combined with a three-time Defensive Player of the Year is definitely high praise. However, there’s a reason Wembanyama is considered one of the highest-upside draft prospects of all time.
It will be thrilling to see which team ends up landing Wembanyama next year. Likewise, it will be interesting for fans to see if he can live up to the massive hype.
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