At a press conference after Boulogne-Levallois’ victory against Bourg-en-Bresse (93-82) on Sunday, Victor Wembanyama spoke about his future, which should become clearer in nine days with the NBA draft lottery.
Nine days before the NBA draft lottery, Tuesday May 16, which should define his next team in the big North American league, Victor Wembanyama does not seem disturbed. Sunday, May 7, he delivered a new great performance with his club Boulogne-Levallois in a meeting of the 32nd day of Betclic Elite, relocated to Bercy. Against Bourg-en-Bresse (93-82), “Wemby” scored 25 points, took 10 rebounds and distributed 4 assists. At the end of the meeting, at a press conference, the prodigy of French basketball spoke about his future.
These 15,000 people at Bercy this Sunday for a Betclic Elite match, is this a taste of what awaits you?
Victor Wembanyama: It has even more value because it’s in France, it’s the first time that I felt so much emotion seeing the number of people who had moved. When I went to see them at the end, it was moving. I sometimes see dads, moms who absolutely want a photo, not even for their children, just for them. It’s funny and it’s fun.
How have you improved this year?
The fact that my performance has been consistent over the year is proof of improvement. Because the defenses are tightening up a lot and trying to adapt to my match-to-match play. We can see it very well, the vast majority of players who put 30 points at the start of the season, then it drops to 15 points per game. (…) One of the keys to our collective development will be the use of spaces, because the defenses take a lot of risks, in particular because of me, to defend against me. And that leaves spaces for my teammates.
Do you have the title of champion of France in mind?
Yes, otherwise I would have stopped my season six months ago. Monaco, we see in the standings that they are in the lead by a distance from the rest of the championship (five more victories than Boulogne-Levallois, second) but our goal will always be to seek this title. If things continue like this, we won’t meet them until the final and in a month a lot can change. We can learn a lot, especially in the playoffs.
You announced on Twitter on Saturday that you would know your future franchise in ten days, tell us about this epiphany?
I got up one morning going to training, it was May 6th. I told myself that in ten days, I would have the revelation about the rest of my career. Day by day, I realize it a little more, but it’s only excitement.
Not having your destiny in your hands, with the NBA draft lottery, organized on May 16, isn’t it disturbing?
It is true that it is special, I realize it when I try to explain what it is to people who are not basketball players. But a player destined to become a great player, no matter where he falls, it will be the right one. That’s why I don’t worry at all about where I’m going to land. Either way, it’ll be a good place.
