After leading the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 last season, Victor Wembanyama will now lead the way for France in the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers.
Of course, Wembanyama has not suited up for France since he helped them take home the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics but he will return to play for his home country this summer.
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France will begin play in friendly competitions against Serbia on Thursday and Sunday before returning home to face off against Slovenia on Aug. 27 in the European Qualifiers.
Ahead of Thursday’s game against Serbia, the French National Team made a major announcement regarding Wembanyama’s role with the team.
France Names Victor Wembanyama as Captain for 2027 World Cup Qualifiers
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On X, the French National Team announced that Wembanyama has been named as the captain for the fourth qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup.
“Captain, Victor Wembanyama will be the captain of the French National Team for the fourth qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup,” the team wrote on X, translated into English.
This is a major announcement by France and honor for Wembanyama as he will take over the role from previous captain and fellow NBA big man, Rudy Gobert.
Of course, Wembanyama has emerged as one of basketball’s brightest young stars in both the NBA and in international competition and he has also emerged a key leader at only 22 years old.
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Last season in the NBA, the French center helped lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the New York Knicks, and he also became the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner along with finishing third in the MVP race.
Wembanyama is also coming off a season in which he averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 34.9% from three.
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The 22-year-old superstar will now return to France where he will captain a team consisting of other NBA talent in Gobert, Evan Fournier and Maxime Raynaud, as they try to clinch a spot in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
France’s first European Qualifier comes at home on Aug. 27 against Slovenia and they will then travel to face Sweden on Aug. 30.
