Victor Wembanyama of France cried on the sideline after losing to Team USA in the Paris Olympics men’s basketball final.
Wembanyama worked hard to keep France in the game, despite Stephen Curry’s dominance with three-pointers. He scored 26 points on 11/19 shooting in just 30 minutes in the 98-87 loss. The San Antonio Spurs great tipped in a failed shot to trim America’s advantage to three with 2:58 remaining in the tournament, but France’s perimeter defence was quickly destroyed by Curry.
With a silver medal around his neck, he stated, “I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years.” When questioned if he meant in FIBA or NBA, Wembanyama replied, “everywhere.”
“What your eyes see is what your eyes should believe,” NBC analyst and 2008 gold medallist Dwayne Wade stated. “[Wembanyama is] a guy you wouldn’t be able to tell just on points. You have to watch him play basketball to comprehend how important he is to his team.”
Team USA stars visited a tearful Wembanyama to express their condolences to the French star. The 20-year-old then sat on the French bench, his head in a towel.
Throughout the competition, the French team changed its roster several times, including putting reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the bench. Les Blues won 2-1 in the preliminary round before defeating Canada and Germany in the elimination stage.
American players, including Kevin Durant, praised Wembayama for his 26-point performance. (Image: Getty Images).)
“Do you ever get concerned knowing this is the worst Wemby will ever be?” X user IcyVert tweeted in response to Wembanyama’s performance.
Curry was the star for the Americans, scoring 12 of his team’s final 14 points and hitting four three-pointers in characteristic style. With 24 points, he topped Team USA.
Devin Booker, promoted to the starting lineup over Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, shot 6/9 from the floor for 15 points as he continued his excellent play.
With Steph Curry and LeBron James retiring from the Olympics, Wembanyama may have a chance to compete for gold at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“In our national anthem, we talk about blood, too. We’re willing to spill blood on the court,” Wembanyama said before the final. “If it allows us to win gold, I’m all for it.”
“[We have] a chance to write history. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime goal. Maybe nobody can reproduce that, so we have to take our chance.” The 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year should have plenty of more chances to win Olympic gold.