Victor Wembanyama has decided not to play for France in the upcoming 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in order to focus on his development with the San Antonio Spurs.
Last week, the Spurs selected Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old immediately expressed his desire to play in each and every possible game across his rookie season.
However, this hope does not extend to the national team. It is a U-turn on previous comments, and is a heavy blow to France, the current Olympic silver medalists who are a contender to win the world title at the tournament hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia in August and September.
