Fabrice Canet, the Blues' jack-of-all-trades, called him from the sidelines, to slowly but surely direct him towards the mixed zone where a dozen or so journalists were waiting for him, Victor Wembanyama was on a series!
Behind the arc, with Ruddy Nelhomme sweating profusely to get his rebounds and not break his rhythm, the young French Spurs center chained together the threads (especially on the right side of the floor) before coming to provide after-sales service to our microphones. After missing the “return match” against Germany, “Wemby” is eager to rub shoulders with Nikola Jokic…
Victor, how are you after your absence? And how did you experience this defeat against Germany, in which you were unable to participate?
Yes, I'm still recovering. It was hard of course. [de ne pas pouvoir jouer]but it's still better than missing a game of the Games. I'll happily miss this one if it means being at all the games.
You're going to face Serbia's two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, a very big challenge for you individually. How do you approach it?
Yes, it's a lot of excitement, and a lot of willingness to learn and observe how the best adapt. [Ce qui m’impressionne le plus chez lui, c’est] his knowledge of the game and his ability to anticipate.
How important is this blue jersey, which you will wear for the first time in your career in a major international competition? Do you feel any particular pressure in approaching it as leader of Les Bleus?
Can we say that you are now entering a new phase of preparation, knowing that the list is now definitively finalized?
Yes, of course. In every match and I would even say, in every training session, we learn a lot. The progression doesn't stop and it's becoming more and more serious. I still have trouble realizing that we're going to play in the Olympics soon. We'll have to be ready on D-Day.
“Play as a team and capitalize on each person’s strengths”
At the start of this preparation, the French game is clearly leaning towards the interior, even when you haven't played, how do you explain this and how do you think you can help the exterior sector to be more aggressive offensively?
It reminds me of wanting to give the ball back to my teammates even more and get the whole team playing. That's how I like to play and that's how I see basketball more generally. How to make others more effective, play as a team and capitalize on each other's strengths. They say the game will lean toward the inside, but it will be the responsibility of the inside sector to get the team playing as well. It's a relationship that will benefit everyone.
How is your relationship in the game with Rudy Gobert? Is it evolving in the right direction in these last few days of training?
It's something that develops very quickly. We've been working on it since the first training sessions. It's a strength that we want to emphasize. And it's almost better that we abuse it a little during the preparation so that we get used to it. And then, adapt to what the defenses will propose against it. What will also be important will be our ability to strike first.
You find Matthew Strazel in the starting five of the Blues, isn't that a strong point for you who have already played alongside him in the youth team?
I'm very pleased that he's here and it gives me a lot of pride. It's not a coincidence. We've played together quite often and it's always gone very well, so it seems natural that we're here. But whether it's Matthew, or Bilal or other players, like Isaia with whom I started at Nanterre, it's always very pleasant to find guys you know and like.
You didn't get to play with him, but what are your thoughts on Tony Parker and the ceremony he'll have after Friday's game?
I experienced Euro 2013 and also his last title with the Spurs. There are lots of memories. He was simply the leader of French basketball for years. He pushed basketball to the top. He is an icon who marked a whole generation of basketball players and even simply French sport.
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