“Victor Wembanyama continues to impress”. It is with this title that the NBA (which also relays its performances with the French team on its application) reported the latest performance of the tricolor nugget following its second match in blue against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The coach of the France team, Vincent Collet, also coach of Victor Wembanyama club in Boulogne-Levallois, was more nuanced after meeting his protege, author of 19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks for 18 evaluation in 24 minutes. Without forcing, or almost.
“Today I think he had an average game, very clearly. But for him, as he is an exceptional player, even when he is average, he is still quite good. But I don’t think it’s pressure related at all.”, said the coach after the meeting.
2023 will rhyme with Wembanyama
The (probable) future n°1 of the Draft 2023 had however started very well by scoring the first 7 points of his team, including a new shot on a foot from elsewhere. It was afterwards that he showed himself to be a little less bleeding, the Blues having also rolled out by increasing their lead throughout the match.
“It got a bit on fire afterwards, with a bit of waste. He fell back a bit compared to his previous matches, not going enough below”explained Vincent Collet. “He stayed on the periphery too much. Where he almost has a systematic domination is when he gets close, where he can finish more easily. He also forces the others to overtake, and as he sees the game well, he is able to pass. At 3-point, it’s less obvious to be able to dominate so much, unless of course he takes all the shots. Sure, he’s put a few on, including the one on a stand that’s soon to become a classic. For me, it’s not complicated, he scores 19 points and he makes 18 of evaluation. It is a way of evaluating its performance. When he plays great games, his evaluation far exceeds the number of points he scores”.
For his first experience in Blue, the results remain very positive, France having also secured his place for the World Cup next year. The experience was also a success for the staff as well as for the players, who we saw taking great pleasure in playing together.
“Beyond basketball, it was an exceptional group. We couldn’t have asked for better. We were able to hit hard from the start. From a sporting point of view, it was a dream. The NBA will be a whole new world, but I want to be at the World Cup in 2023”, for his part entrusted Victor Wembanyama after the meeting.
Photo credit: FIBA
