Just one summer after captivating the world by nearly leading Team France to Olympic gold against the Americans, basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama has delivered a heartbreaking blow to his national team.
Despite the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, a major FIBA event where France is expected to defend its recent dominance, Wembanyama will not suit up for Les Bleus this summer.
The devastating news comes as Wembanyama is reportedly “very close” to resuming full-contact basketball drills, according to Spurs General Manager RC Buford, who told Le Parisien, “Returning to team training? I think we’re very close to that, yes.”
However, the San Antonio Spurs’ superstar is prioritizing a cautious approach to his return, a decision that, while relieving for his NBA team, leaves a massive void for the French National Team.
The stunning recovery process of Wembanyama
Wembanyama’s offseason has been anything but conventional. Far from the typical basketball grind, the 7’4″ phenom has been spotted playing soccer, engaging in kung-fu training, and even participating in pickup games across the globe.
His travels, including a rigorous kung-fu regimen at China’s Shaolin Temple aimed at enhancing flexibility and mental focus, suggest that his season-ending deep vein thrombosis surgery in March is firmly in the rearview mirror.
These diverse activities are designed to refine his footwork, balance, and explosive movement, all critical for his NBA defense. Photos from his global adventures reveal a noticeable increase in muscle and weight, a welcome sight for fans eager to see him dominate.
France will have to do without Wemby
The French National Team will undoubtedly have their hands full without their generational talent. The absence is compounded by the fact that Rudy Gobert has also dropped out, placing an even greater burden on players like Washington Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly, who is now expected to step into a significantly larger role.
The question now looms: will this extended, unconventional offseason truly prepare him for the rigors of the NBA, or will the absence from high-level international competition impact his readiness for the upcoming regular season?
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