FRANCE hopes that Victor Wembanyama will be able to play in the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Numerous reports have quoted Les Bleus coach Vincent Collet hinting that nothing is cast in stone yet on Wembanyama’s inclusion in the Fiba Basketball World Cup line-up.
See Spurs fans counting down days to Victor Wembanyama arrival
Collet is also the coach of Wembanyama’s Metropolitans 92 in France’s professional league.
“I’d like him to play a lot since there are the Olympic Games after the World Cup. I think he wants it as well. This World Cup is a launching pad," Collet said. "The World Cup experience would prepare him best for his entry into the NBA.”
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to draft Wembanyama first overall on Thursday (Friday, Manila time).
Collet said the national team plans to work with the Spurs for Wembanyama’s possible Fiba appearance with France.
France will play in the World Cup but won’t be in Manila for the group stage as they are in Group H with Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon.
Les Bleus would only play in the Philippines once it reaches the final round that starts with the quarterfinals.
Collet is no stranger to Filipino fans after he coached France during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2016 held at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Les Bleus beat Gilas Pilipinas, 93-84, on a team led by Tony Parker.
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