Still recovering from the blood clot that ended his 2024-25 NBA season, Victor Wembanyama was unfortunately not going to be a part of the EuroBasket tournament. Featured in this tournament were global superstars such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The tournament is the perfect opportunity for 2024 Olympic Games losers to right the ship and take home a major title.
However, the chance for redemption wasn't so possible for team France playing without their superstar. On September 7th, team France suited up for a match against a Georgia team that did not feature many NBA players.
Without Wembanyama leading the way, France struggled to score and ultimately couldn't put up enough points to take home the victory. With the loss, France would be eliminated from the tournament.
Victor Wembanyama is the clear leader of team France
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Without the big man steering the ship, France was lost. Despite dearly missing their captain, the roster was still full of talented NBA players. Among the group are former rookie Zaccharie Risacher, Wembanyama's former French teammate Bilal Coulibaly, and the New York Knicks' latest free agent addition, Guerschon Yabusele.
Interestingly, France would be matched up against [former San Antonio Spur Sandro Mamukelashvili](https://airalamo.com/spurs-fans-officially-say-goodbye-beloved-player-never-fair-shot). Despite the immense talent on Team France, it was not enough to take down Mamu and his crew.
It is as obvious as can be that Wembanyama is the ruler of French basketball. With the superstar [on the court during the 2024 Olympics](https://airalamo.com/joakim-noah-says-quiet-part-out-loud-about-victor-wembanyamas-trajectory), Team France made it all the way to the gold medal match, where they met their doom against a loaded Team USA squad. Despite the loss, the Alien was electric. Giving it his all, he nearly pushed a much weaker French squad over the super team.
Throughout the tournament just a year ago, Wembanyama's presence on both offense and defense was hard to miss. Whether he was sending shots out of the court or working on his absurd three-point shooting, the budding French legend was the catalyst for team France's success.
Albeit with fewer NBA players than the Olympic squad, France was an utter disappointment without Wembanyama. Not only is the Spurs star carrying an NBA franchise on his back, but also an entire country.
France can only hope that their hero can return to the court for the next EuroBasket tournament because they desperately need him. Until then, he will be continuing to dominate the NBA floor before his next shot at bringing glory to his country.