Vincent Collet names one thing Wembanyama does better than Jokic / News - Basketnews.com

Collet thinks Wembanyama is already better defensively than Jokic but has to improve in other areas of basketball to overtake the Joker.

Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay, Jack Dempsey - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Eric Gay, Jack Dempsey - Scanpix

Nikola Jokic is widely considered to be the best basketball player in the world. However, the focus of the NBA community is now directed toward a 19-year-old phenom named Victor Wembanyama.

Victor Wembanyama

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

Before coming to the NBA, Wemby played for Metropolitans 92 where he was coached by Vincent Collet, who also leads the French national team. He was part of the coaching clinic in Belgrade last week. In an interview with Telegraf, the specialist commented about the two players.

"I hope that Wembanyama will be like Nikola Jokic. He has potential but the most difficult thing is to realize it all. He is only 19 years old. I know him very well because I coached him. I imagine he will be very successful," Collet said. "It's possible that, in a few years, all the best basketball players will be from Europe."

It's still a long way to go until Wemby can call himself a better player than Jokic. Nevertheless, Collet thinks that there's one aspect the youngster is already better at than the Joker.

"Jokic is very special. He sees everything before others and is one of those who make the best decisions [on the court]. On the other hand, Victor has to be better in those situations. Where he's now better than Jokic is his defensive aspect," the coach said. "I think he will be even better in a few years when he strengthens his body."

Although he previously expressed his intent to represent the country, Wembanyama will not play for France in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Instead, he will focus on preparation for his upcoming debut in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs.

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