Funny reunion! Wembanyama (2.19 m, 19 years old) made his return on Tuesday evening to the floor of the Villeurbannais club in which he played last season before committing to the “Mets” and in front of stands displaying “full” like everywhere where Boulogne -Levallois moves. And this despite places whose prices fluctuated between 75 and 375 euros for the occasion.
But the evening was difficult for the one who is expected to be the No.1 in the NBA draft in June, and who received his 2022 France champion ring before the start of the match.
The Villeurbannais, sixth at kick-off, who can still hope to return to 2nd place in the regular season standings and remain on a four-game winning streak in the league, have largely limited Wembanyama’s access to circle and rebound offensive (3 out of a total of 10).
“We had our faces broken”
As a result, his shooting percentage was below his average with 23% success (3/13) against 47.2%. He was, however, aggressive as he was awarded eight free throws (8/8) to bring his total to 15 points.
On the Asvel side, Nando De Colo shone on the meeting by scoring 17 points (6/14 on shots, 3/5 from 3 points) as did Yves Pons (7/8 on shots, 1/1 from 3 points ). They were well supported by Jonah Mathews (14), Dee Bost (11), Youssoupha Fall (11), five players with more than ten points in a Rhone collective which led 47-34 at halftime.
Overall, Asvel, who took their revenge for the first leg lost by one point (84-83) on a dunk from “Wemby” before winning (72-65) in the quarter-finals of the Leaders Cup, very well defended and left the Metropolitans at a distance, who retained their 2nd place.
Collectively inferior to their opponents, the Ile-de-France residents, whose other major player Tremont Waters scored 19 points, were this time well below their standards, losing for the first time after three wins in a row.
“There was certainly 50-30 on the rebound but above all 30-10 at halftime. The gap was already high. This already goes far beyond statistics. There is the visual impression that everyone had. We got outclassed in the engagement, we got knocked out. We must recognize that tonight we were really dominated in all areas, ”acknowledged Mets coach Vincent Collet.
