The Blues won in Lithuania this Friday, in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. 20 points for Victor Wembanyama’s first.
Victor Wembanyama, successful first! The new sensation of French basketball took its first steps in Blue this Friday, in Lithuania, as part of the qualifications for the 2023 World Cup. A match won by the men of Vincent Collet (65-90). Obviously, the coach was deprived of NBA and Euroleague players for this meeting. He could nevertheless count on the 18-year-old giant (2.21m), whom he trains at Boulogne-Levallois. “I expect him to be one of the leaders, to have the same kind of impact that he shows weekly in the league“, said coach Collet of his prodigy before the match. He was not disappointed.
Holder, “Wemby” responded, ending the game with 20 points in 24 minutes, he who did not play at all in the last quarter. It is only the fourth time that a rookie has reached the 20-point mark after Robert Busnel (30 points in 1934), Bob Riley (25 in 1976) and Appolo Faye (20 in 1979). The probable future number 1 of the 2023 NBA Draft also compiled 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 interception, with 23 at the evaluation and a +/- at +25, the highest for the France team this Friday at Panevezys. We may regret a small 6/13 on shots (1/2 to 3 pts), but overall, the impression is very positive. The big stake was not impressed, he made things much easier for his little comrades, on both sides of the field, without forcing. Serious and easy.
A serious and applied French team
In addition to the native of Chesney, who passed through Nanterre and Asvel before joining Boulogne-Levallois last summer, several other blues with the Blues, with the first cap of Juhann Begarin (2 pts), Damien Inglis (15), Ismaël Kamagate (6) and Yoan Makoundou (5). Sylvain Francisco already had two selections before this match, but the third will be remembered: 21 points at 8/9 on shots and 5/5 from afar for the player from Peristeri, in Greece. A recital. Inglis was also very valuable for a serious and diligent France, who soared in the second half and mastered their subject.
For the rest, we will remember that the Blues started this match well, with an 8-point lead at the end of a first quarter played at a slow pace (14-22) and after a basket from Francisco, the only one to float offensively in start of the second quarter. Marek Blazevic (14 pts, co-top scorer on his team with Bendzius) and company played better, stronger, more efficient (28-29). It was Lithuania’s turn to have a shot less well and the return of Wembanyama five minutes from the break was good, a lot of good (31-41). The Unicorn at the “alley-oop”, the faults caused, the good balloons given… A bit of everything, and often well. 12 points for him at the break (4/10, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 interception in 14 minutes), 11 to the credit of Inglis, 9 from Francisco (33-43 MT).
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Francisco made it
The latter continued his festival on the resumption, with distant bombs as if it were raining and pressure “Albicyesque” in defense (41-62). Overall, the Blues were in their hands. “Wemby” did not even need to force his talent under these conditions, simply making his mark on throws (7/7 for him at the end of the meeting). A small three point also to remind that his qualities are limitless, before finishing near the circle in front of two defenders with disconcerting ease. France at +23 at the start of the last quarter (47-70). There was no suspense afterwards, with the French ever more skilful (53% at 3 pts in the end) and who counted up to 29 lengths in advance (65-90 final score).
Next meeting for the Blues and Victor Wembanyama? Monday evening near Pau, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, still in the context of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. Moreover, Vincent Collet’s men will have the opportunity to validate their ticket before the last window, in the month from February. They are already not very far, they who take the lead of group K by doubling their Lithuanian victims of the day (7 wins and 2 losses for both).
