Wembanyama has said repeatedly that he wants to play as much as possible for the French NT, incl the 2025 Eurobasket if his health permits.
Non-US players in general are much more likely to suit up for their country, because they have been doing so since they were teenagers and it's a point of pride.
Also qualifying for the Olympics (the event everyone want to go to) means playing at the WC. If ever the US were not to win gold in 28, we might see a serious US squad for the WC 2031.
Those are fair points Max! I guess at the time I wrote this piece in 2023 I thought his decision to pull out of that summer’s tournament was interesting and notable. But it will certainly be an interesting thing to track going forward! Thanks for reading.
Come to think of it, the reason Wembanyama didn't play in 2023 was that he got drafted. He had had a very busy summer, what with playing the French league finals until June 15, followed by the draft, move to San Antonio and the Spurs wanted him to play summer league. So he decided to rest.
The last major French player who played with the NT the summer he was drafted was Tony Parker in 2001. And weirdly enough that wasn't even the senior team, but the U20s. Would never happen today!
Hi,
Wembanyama has said repeatedly that he wants to play as much as possible for the French NT, incl the 2025 Eurobasket if his health permits.
Non-US players in general are much more likely to suit up for their country, because they have been doing so since they were teenagers and it's a point of pride.
Also qualifying for the Olympics (the event everyone want to go to) means playing at the WC. If ever the US were not to win gold in 28, we might see a serious US squad for the WC 2031.
Those are fair points Max! I guess at the time I wrote this piece in 2023 I thought his decision to pull out of that summer’s tournament was interesting and notable. But it will certainly be an interesting thing to track going forward! Thanks for reading.
Come to think of it, the reason Wembanyama didn't play in 2023 was that he got drafted. He had had a very busy summer, what with playing the French league finals until June 15, followed by the draft, move to San Antonio and the Spurs wanted him to play summer league. So he decided to rest.
The last major French player who played with the NT the summer he was drafted was Tony Parker in 2001. And weirdly enough that wasn't even the senior team, but the U20s. Would never happen today!
Love your writing btw!