Victor Wembanyama included in France's preliminary roster for EuroBasket / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

The head coach of the French national team, Vincent Collet, has unveiled the preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2022.

The 59-year-old specialist called up 17 players, including five NBA athletes: Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, Theo Maledon, Frank Ntilikina, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The rising star Victor Wembanyama received a chance as well.

The projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft recently signed a contract with Metropolitans 92 Paris. He was a member of LDCL ASVEL Villeurbanne last season, producing 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13 EuroLeague matches.

Wembanyama averaged 9.4 points (47.3% FG, 26.0% 3PT) and 5.1 rebounds over 18 minutes in the French LNB Pro A this past campaign. The NBA prospect was voted as the French League's Rising Star for the second consecutive season.

The 18-year-old is set to make his debut with the men's national team. He was a dominant force at the 2019 U-16 European Championship and 2021 U-19 World Cup.

In the latter competition, Wembanyama averaged 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game and was named to the all-tournament team after leading France to the silver medal. Wembanyama set the FIBA record for blocks per match in a single tournament.

He recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 blocks in a final 83–81 loss to the United States.

Full list of players:

Andrew Albicy (Gran Canaria) Thomas Heurtel (Real Madrid) Theo Maledon (Oklahoma City Thunder) Frank Ntilikina (Dallas Mavericks) Isaia Cordinier (Virtus Bologna) Elie Okobo (ASVEL Villeurbanne) Evan Fournier (New York Knicks) William Howard (ASVEL Villeurbanne) Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Atlanta Hawks) Terry Tarpey (Le Mans) Guerschon Yabusele (Real Madrid) Amath M'Baye (Pinar Karsiyaka) Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92) Mouhamadou Jaiteh (Virtus Bologna) Moustapha Fall (Olympiacos Piraeus) Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) Vincent Poirier (Real Madrid)

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