It will be less than a month before top 2023 NBA Draft prospect Victor Wembanyama finds himself as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
The 7-foot-4 big man from France is considered one of the top prospects to enter the Association in generations. He’ll be the No. 1 pick of the Spurs once the draft comes calling on June 22. In the process, Wembanyama will be leaving behind France for the United State to play under Gregg Popovich.
It’s not too dissimilar to when fellow countryman Tony Parker came stateside as a first-round pick of the Spurs back in 2001 to play under Popovich. The hope here is that there are similar results for both the player and the team (Parker won four NBA titles with the Spurs).
But for Wembanyama, there’s another initial goal. Having grown up 10 miles from Paris, the talented youngster wants to bring a gold medal to France during the 2024 Summer Olympics in in his native country.
He wants to do so against the United States and a number of players he’ll be suiting up against as a rookie during the 2023-24 NBA season.
“You know the Olympics are in Paris in 2024. And there could be no more perfect occasion for me to win my first title with the French national team. My goal is to beat Team USA in the final.”
Victor Wembanyama says, via ESPN’s Sam Borden
It would certainly be something to see the teenager lead his French National Team to a championship over the juggernaut that is Team USA. Imagine the scenes in France if that were to happen.
Wembanyama is already a national icon in France. It way back on May 16 that the big man’s Metropolitans 92’s drew north of 16,000 fans to watch him play. For many, it was an experience to see Wembanyama play before he makes his way to the United States. The top 2023 NBA Draft prospect opened up about that, too.
“I felt so much emotion seeing the number of people who had come,” Wembanyama says. “I sometimes see dads or moms who absolutely want a photo [with me], not even for their children. Just for them. It’s funny and it’s fun.”
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Victor Wembanyama sets sights on 2024 Summer Olympics
Going up against four-time NBA championship head coach Steve Kerr and Team USA in the 2024 Olympics is going to be no easy task. The projected roster includes stars such as Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Trae Young and Bam Adebayo.
Team USA has won old in each of the past four Summer Olympic golds and seven of eight since the Dream Team made its debut back in 1992.
Though, France will be no pushover. The national team is making an effort to roster reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. He would join Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum in forming a potential super team.
France’s national team finished with silver in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, losing to the United States in the final. It represents their best finish at the Summer Olympics since 2000. Once again, Wembanyama will look to make history next year in France. It should be a popcorn-worthy time.