Victor Wembanyama: 'There was a bit of regret leaving the EuroLeague' / News - Basketnews.com

Wembanyama told that there is no animosity between him and Tony Parker, saying that the legend's words about him might've been distorted a little. Wemby shared that he felt a bit of regret after leaving the EuroLeague but now thinks that it was the right move.

Credit: J.E.E/SIPA-Scanpix Credit J.E.E/SIPA-Scanpix

A year before the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama made a move from LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne to Metropolitans 92 and went from playing in the EuroLeague to competing only in the French Basketball League (LNB).

NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, who's also the president of ASVEL, has criticized the move, doubting the young phenom's progress.

"The regret is that I don't know if he has really improved this season and is really having fun playing only one game a week. The Euroleague would've prepared him well for next season as happened with Luka Doncic, who won it with Real Madrid. That's what I would have liked Victor to do," he said in early April to Le Progres.

In an in-depth interview with FIRST TEAM, Wembanyama addressed Parker's claim.

"I know Tony, there's no animosity between us. I think the media can distort things a little bit sometimes. He knows I have progressed. It's a different role," Wemby said.

Later on, he commented on his move to exit the EuroLeague and play only in the LNB.

"Of course, there was a little bit of regret leaving the EuroLeague but in hindsight, there was no reason to [feel regret], I actually don't," Wembanyama explained. "Of course, as a competitor, I would've liked to taste the European competition a bit more but I made the choice and it was the best choice."

"Above all, it's only one game a week but a lot more minutes and a lot more responsibility, so the impact, in the end, is the same. I have a much more important role here," the youngster said.

After leaving the EuroLeague, Wembanyama's focus went away from the league a bit, he admits.

"I do watch some games from time to time but less than Betclic [LNB] or the NBA," he shared.

Full Victor Wembanyama's interview (with English subtitles):

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