Victor Wembanyama says he won't play for France during FIBA World Cup
Victor Wembanyama has decided he will not play for France during the FIBA World Cup later this summer to protect his body for his upcoming rookie season in the NBA.
Wembanyama – the 19-year-old, 7-foot-5 prodigy drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft earlier this month – previously intended to play for France at the tournament.
Wembanyama said even though the Spurs would have supported his participation, he made the choice on his own after consulting with close friends and his medical team. He informed the French team over the weekend, according to French newspaper L'Equipe on Monday.
"It would not be realistic in terms of development and not prudent in terms of health," Wembanyama said.
"I hope people will understand. It's frustrating for me, too. The France team is still central for me. I want to win as many titles as possible with the team. But I think it's a necessary sacrifice."
Wembanyama calculated he would play about 170 games in a 24-month span if he plays his rookie season in the NBA, which is 82 games during the regular season, and during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Wembanyama just completed 62 games with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, reaching the French League Finals before he was drafted by the Spurs.
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The FIBA tournament, which runs from Aug. 25 through Sept. 10 in the Philippines, would conclude about three weeks before NBA training camps begin.
Wembanyama still plans to play for the Spurs during the NBA Summer League in July, but it’s unclear if he’ll play in Sacramento, which begins play on July 3, or Las Vegas, which begins on July 7, or both.
France – which won bronze in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and silver after a loss to the United States at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – is still expected to be a favorite during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.