Wembanyama returns to French national team after two-year absence

Victor Wembanyama, a standout NBA player, is set to return to the French national basketball team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers in August. This marks his first appearance with the team in nearly two years, following his participation in the Paris Olympics where France secured a silver medal. His absence was attributed to a shoulder thrombosis that sidelined him for several months in early 2025.

Frédéric Fauthoux, the head coach of the French team, emphasized Wembanyama's crucial role, stating, "Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation. It is necessary for his presence to materialize to start creating automatisms with the others, both in play and in coexistence around basketball." While other key players like Rudy Gobert and Maxime Raynaud are included in the squad, some notable absences include Bilal Coulibaly, Zaccharie Risacher, and Guerschon Yabusele.

Wembanyama, 22, is scheduled to play his first friendly match on August 20 against Serbia in Belgrade, followed by a second friendly against the same opponent on August 23 in Orleans, France. The team will then face Slovenia on August 27 in Paris for a World Cup qualifier, a match where Slovenia's star Luka Doncic will be absent due to personal reasons. The final qualifier will be against Sweden in Stockholm on August 30. France currently leads Group L in the qualifiers with a 5-1 record.

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Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation. It is necessary for his presence to materialize to start creating automatisms with the others, both in play and in coexistence around basketball.