Victor Wembanyama explained his decision to skip the World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Victor Wembanyama opened up on his choice to miss the World Cup with France during the San Antonio Spurs' first practice.

Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Eric Gay - Scanpix

A few days ago,L'Equipe reported that Victor Wembanyamawon't feature in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Victor Wembanyama

Position:CAge:19Height:223 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

The 19-year-old said he made his decision himself after consulting his closest entourage, the medical staff, and several executives of the French national team.

"The Spurswould have supported me whatever my choice had been,"Wembanyama told L'Equipe, eliminating any possible assumptions about potential pressure from his new team.

Wembanyama made his France national team debut last November during the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. He played four games for France, averaging 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 22.5 EFF per game.

"It would not be realistic in terms of development and not careful in terms of health," Wembanyama said about his decision to miss FIBA World Cup. "I hope people will understand.It's frustrating for me too.The France team is still my focus.I want to win as many titles as possible with it.But I think it's a necessary sacrifice."

The No. 1 pick by theSan Antonio Spursin the 2023 NBA Draft has settled into his new environment, as the Spursbegan practices on Thursday. The French prospect is expected to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League starting on July 7 when the Spurs open up against the Charlotte Hornets.

Part of being ready for the upcoming 82-game NBA season after playing 62 games for Metropolitans 92 in France involves taking some rest during summertime.

"I had a long season with the Mets 92, and I will have a long season with the Spurs. There's the Olympics after that. I just think that [going] more than two years without a rest is too big of a risk," Wembanyama said.

"It's really big events coming up like the Olympics that I don't want to miss. So to be available for the national team for the next, I don't know how many years, I felt like I needed to miss this one," he explained.

"It was really hard [to make that decision]. For me, my career is going to be as much with the franchise as it will be with the national team. There are titles to win with both. Missing the national team is just like missing the season with the Spurs. It's kind of crazy," he added.

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