French basketball will remember the 2022-2023 season for a long time. In addition to the unprecedented AS Monaco Basket title, one player took everything in his path: Victor Wembanyama.
Individual awards, final of the French championship, sold-out matches, first selections with the France team, worldwide and unprecedented media coverage, never has a French player been so scrutinized, analyzed, watched before his arrival in the NBA, the North American Professional Basketball League.
Olympics.com looks back on the highlights of the 2022-2023 season of Victor Wembanyama, more than ever favorite to be the first choice of the 2023 NBA Draft, this Thursday, June 22.
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2022: A rise in power, an unprecedented exhibition across the Atlantic and the discovery of the French team
June 30, 2022 : The 2022-2023 season begins with a change of club for Victor Wembanyama. In search of more playing time for his last season in France, the young Frenchman leaves ASVEL to join Boulogne-Levallois. In the Paris region, he joined the coach of the France team, Vincent Colletwho leads the Mets. This choice seems to pay off because Wemby becomes a starter for the first time and sees his playing time increase from 18 to 32 minutes per game.
October 4, 2022 : In an exhibition match in Las Vegas, Boulogne-Levallois, invited by the NBA, faces the G-League Ignite, a team comprising the most promising players in the North American development league. Among them is the leader Scoot Henderson, Victor Wembanyama’s main rival for the 2023 NBA Draft. The American confirms his potential with 28 points and 9 assists, but Victor Wembanyama is stronger with 37 points including 7 three-point shots. “Of all the prospects I’ve heard about in our crop, I think this is my favorite. If I had never been born, I think he would deserve the top spot,” says the French prodigy on Scoot Henderson.
A day later, in a second exhibition game in front of an audience of NBA stars, Victor Wembanyama scored 36 points. With 73 points in two games, his popularity rating reached a level not seen for a prospect since LeBron James in 2003. The latter is under the spell “He’s an extraterrestrial. No one, myself included, has ever seen someone so tall, so fluid and graceful. (…) It is clear that this is a generational talent. »
In the process, the NBA buys the broadcasting rights for the Boulogne-Levallois championship games to broadcast them in the United States. Never seen.
November 11, 2022 : Victor Wembanyama made his first appearance in the France A team, as part of the qualifications for the 2023 World Cup. Against Lithuania, Wemby managed a solid game with 20 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes carrying the Blues to a convincing victory (90-65) while being rested during the last quarter. He is the first Frenchman to score 20 points for his first selection since Apollo Faye in 1979.
December 29, 2022 : For his first at Bercy, Victor Wembanyama won the title of best player in the All-Star Game of the LNB, the French basketball league. With his 27 points and 12 rebounds, the interior of 2.21 m largely participated in the victory of Team France over Team World (136-128). He becomes the youngest MVP (best player) of the All-Star Game, doing better than Nando de Colo in 2007.
2023: The Mets in the final of the French Championship and a shower of individual awards for Wemby
January 9, 2023 : During the 16th day of the championship, Victor Wembanyama finds his former club, ASVEL, for a high-level duel. With a tap-dunk 3 seconds from the end, the French phenomenon scored the winning basket.
May 16, 2023 : In the 2023 NBA Draft lottery, the San Antonio Spurs are granted the first pick of the next Draft. The Texas team coached by the legendary Gregg Popovich will take priority and everyone already sees Victor Wembanyama being the selected player.
The city of San Antonio, where evolved Tony Parkercelebrated as rarely this “victory” in the Draft lottery, recalling their first choice of the 1997 Draft, a certain Tim Duncan.
May 17, 2023 : During the LNB Trophies ceremony, Victor Wembanyama wins all possible distinctions. He was voted best player in the league, but also best young player for the third time in a row and finally best defender. In terms of statistics, he finished top scorer in the league with 21.6 points on average, best rebounder (10.4 rebounds per game) and best blocker (3 blocks per game).
June 4, 2023 : Boulogne-Levallois qualifies for the final of the French Championship by dominating ASVEL (71-69). Victor Wembanyama thus eliminates his former club and allows Mets to play their first final since the merger between Paris and Levallois in 2007.
June 15, 2023 : Led two games to nil in a best-of-five final, the Mets no longer have a choice, they must beat AS Monaco Basket to continue to believe in the title of champion of France. Within the grounds of Roland-Garros, which has abandoned clay for the parquet floor, Victor Wembanyama and the Mets will not demerit, but they will bow in the last moments of the meeting (92-85). There Roca Team is champion of France and Victor Wembanyama has 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks for his last game in France.
“Playing for a larger audience than usual was a privilege. It was special, but I know that with the France team, I will play others, so it’s just a goodbye. I feel like I’m closing part of my life, but I’m not worried. My program after the draft is very busy, I have to go back and forth. And then I still want to represent France (at the World Cup),” the 19-year-old said in a post-match press conference.
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The following ? The 2023 NBA Draft and an expected participation in the 2023 Basketball World Cup
On the night of Thursday to Friday will take place the Draft NBA 2023, the big annual selection of the best prospects by the NBA franchises. The San Antonio Spurs, the former team of Tony Parkerhas the first choice and should select Victor Wembanyama.
The following ? Victor Wembanyama could briefly participate in the Sacramento summer league in early July, friendly matches between NBA franchises usually reserved for young players and those seeking a contract for the following season.
Finally, Wemby should take part in the World Cup 2023 with the French team. The coach of the Blues, Vincent Colletis pushing in this direction, almost a year from Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“I really want it (Wembanyama’s participation) since after the World Cup, there are the Games. And I think it’s desirable for him too. This World Cup is a launching pad. (…) The experience of a world championship, I think that is what would prepare him best for his entry into the NBA. »
READ ALSO – Why Wembanyama’s France can claim the Olympic title in Paris 2024
2023-06-21 20:47:31
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