LILLE (France) - LILLE (France) - Playing the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament in front of your home fans may seem like a big stage for many players. But Victor Wembanyama is unlike anything the hoops world has seen, and the 20-year-old thrived in the spotlight.
Carrying the weight of expectations, hopes and concern of a team with some big question marks, Wembanyama showed maturity beyond his young age and was the leading force in France's 78-66 victory over Brazil to start their Group B campaign at Paris 2024.
Playing in his first Olympics game just seven months after turning 20, Wembanyama collected 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks.
"I am taking everything that is given to me and communicating a lot with my teammates. It’s about sacrifices. We’re all here for a purpose," the debutant said. "I like the way they have tried to install me in the system."
Wembanyama was unable to attend the Opening Ceremony and when asked how this game compared he responded: "This was way better."
Michael Jordan? Victor's not far - Vincent Collet
"People who know basketball, they understand that he's only 20 years old. But for people that like sports, but don't know basketball, they think Victor is already Michael Jordan”, said France’s head coach Vincent Collet, laughing. “It takes time."
Someone asked if Victor was almost Michael Jordan. "He's not far”, answered Collet.
The San Antonio Spurs superstar showed exactly why he has captured the imagination of sports fans around the world.
"Nowadays, everyone knows who he is. But people who don't follow basketball and are going to see him on TV for the first time (at the Olympics), they'll be like, 'What the hell is this guy!?' He's just like he's made on a computer or something. It's unique, and we're still getting used to seeing more players like Giannis (Antetokounmpo of Greece) or him coming up and being able to do amazing things on the court with incredible bodies and talent," said Brazilian playmaker Marcelinho Huertas, who is 21 years older than Wembanyama.
Wembanyama did actually come out of the gates a bit slow, missing two of his three shots and two of his three free throws in scoring just 3 points in the first quarter.
That changed in the second quarter as he took charge of the game.
He nailed a three-pointer, hit a fadeaway, converted a fancy layup from behind the basket and threw down two big dunks - one of them reminiscent of the Space Jam movie - for 11 points in the second frame as France gained control of the game.
That push from the youngster along with the halftime talk from head coach Vincent Collet were enough for France to create enough of a cushion to fend off any comeback attempt by Brazil.
Wembanyama played a lesser role in the second half, shining more on the defensive end. He did however put the game to bed with an alley-oop dunk with 51 seconds left.
Wembanyama's 35-year-old veteran teammate Nicolas Batum was full of praise for the youngster.
"It's easy to play basketball with him," Batum said. "First, the size, but he also knows how to play the game. I have played with so many great players but to play with a young guy with such a high IQ, it’s easy to play with him and give him the ball. He's so good."
Batum said head coach Vincent Collet really did a solid job utilizing Wembanyama's ability to change things on the defensive end.
"On defense we just try to put him in the right spots so we can play around him," he said.
Victor Wembanyama is just one game into his Olympics career. Oh, how much fun will the sports world have with this amazing talent!
FIBA