The Blues will be able to count on their young star interior Victor Wembanyama for the last two qualifying matches for the 2023 World Cup on February 23 and 26, according to the selection revealed by Vincent Collet on Monday.
The French team, already qualified for the World Cup which takes place from August 25 to September 10 in three Asian countries (Philippines, Indonesia and Japan), will face the Czech Republic on February 23 in Pardubice (6 p.m.) before receiving Lithuania at the Arena Loire in Trélazé (Maine-et-Loire) on February 26 (6 p.m.).
The list of 14 selected players
“Wemby” (19 years old, 2.21m) will have the opportunity to honor his third and fourth caps in the blue jersey after a successful debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina (19 pts) and Lithuania (20 pts) in November.
The strong winger, big favorite to be No. 1 in the next NBA draft in June, is already a must in the group with his status as Elite’s top scorer (21.4 points on average, 9.4 rebounds) and will accompany Vincent Collet, who is also his coach at the Metropolitans of Boulogne-Levallois.
READ ALSO : Led by Wembanyama, the French selection wins the All Star Game
Tarpey back from injury
The selection, deprived of its NBA and Euroleague players as often during the qualifying windows, is generally unchanged from the last matches. It nevertheless records the return of the back of Le Mans Terry Tarpey (21 selections), injured in the hand during the last rally.
The Blues will seek to retain first place in Group K to be in a good position in the World Cup draw (April 29, 2023).
