The coach of the French basketball team didn’t miss anything of the young Frenchman’s fifth game in the NBA. “He will be one of the pillars of the Blues” during the 2024 Olympic Games, even says the French coach.
A total of 38 points, including 3 3-point baskets, dunks, mid-range shots, 2 blocks and 10 rebounds: the performance is signed Victor Wembanyama, during the San Antonio Spurs match against the Phoenix Suns, on the night of Thursday to Friday (Spurs victory 131-121).
This fifth appearance of the French prodigy in the NBA was widely praised, in particular by his French team coach Vincent Collet, Friday November 3 on franceinfo. “It’s by far his best match since he arrived. He got into it straight away,” summarizes the coach, who had set the alarm in the middle of the night.
Wemby had a good start and an authoritarian end to the match, during which he allowed his team to stay ahead in the score. “When the opponents came back a few minutes from the end, Victor was decisive and he showed that he had real leadership over his team,” commented Collet, who also trained the prodigy last year in the French championship, at the Metropolitans 92. If during the first matches of the season, he sometimes had difficulty finding his place, the connections with his teammates are now much more fluid, like the lobbed passes which are increasingly used.
Against the Suns, he also imposed himself on defense. “Certain players, who normally would have tried their luck, brought the ball out and it totally disorganized the opponent’s offensive system. He greatly hindered the attack by closing the spaces and access to the circle. He was a deterrent on great players”, explains Vincent Collet.
The big names in basketball, like Kevin Durant, were complimentary of the Frenchman’s performance after the meeting. “I don’t see anyone like him in the NBA. You can try to compare him, but he will be different from everyone else,” judged the Suns star, of whom Wembanyama is a big fan.
“He is unique. He will create his own story”
Kevin Durantat franceinfo
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is equally won over: “Victor Wembanyama is one of the most mature 19-year-olds I have seen.” But Vincent Collet still wants to temper the ambient excitement. “There will be more difficult evenings, he is not even 20 years old, he is learning, the opponents are not doing him any favors. But in any case, (Thursday) evening, I did not regret not sleeping “, exclaims Vincent Collet.
In any case, the young French basketball player seems ready to face these adversities. “He manages his emotions well. He remains focused and I found him particularly calm.” greeted the Blues coach. A temperament which will logically lead him to the heart of the French basketball team this summer during the Paris Olympic Games. “He will be one of the pillars of the Blues, there is no debate about that”confirms Vincent Collet.