Victor Wembanyama to miss FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 / News - Basketnews.com

Victor Wembanyama revealed he won't play in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, saying it's his final, albeit difficult, decision.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Victor Wembanyama won't feature in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, according to L'Equipe.

Victor Wembanyama

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

According to the report, 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.

Wembanyama 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."

Wembanyama was selected with the No. 1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old already expressed his desire to play in every game possible during his rookie season.

Wembanyama played in every game last season for Metropolitans 92, averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game in 34 appearances in the French League.

Wembanyama led the French League in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. He was named the MVP of the competition.

During the FIBA Basketball World Cup, France will play in Group H in Jakarta, Indonesia, and face Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon.

If France advances to the Second Round, it will meet teams from Group G, consisting of Iran, Spain, and Ivory Coast.

FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25th to September 10th and will be hosted by three nations for the first time.

France's FIBA World Cup preparation schedule

Date Opponent Location July 31st Tunisia Pau, France August 2nd Montenegro Montpellier, France August 7th Venezuela Orleans, France August 9th Lithuania Orleans, France August 11th Lithuania Vilnius, Lithuania August 17th Japan Tokyo, Japan August 20th Australia Tokyo, Japan Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.