Victor Wembanyama named captain of French national basketball team

Victor Wembanyama has been named the new captain of the French national basketball team, succeeding Rudy Gobert. The 22-year-old San Antonio Spurs star will lead the squad through upcoming international windows, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup European qualifiers against Slovenia and Sweden.

In a recent friendly match in Belgrade, Serbia defeated France 90-87. Nikola Jokić led Serbia with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Wembanyama recorded 10 points and 5 rebounds. Despite the loss, Jokić praised Wembanyama, stating he has the potential to become “the best player of all time.” Wembanyama noted that he felt “a bit rusty” following his NBA season but emphasized the high intensity and importance of representing his country.

France and Serbia are scheduled to meet again in a second friendly match in Orléans. Wembanyama’s leadership transition comes as he continues to develop physically, with reports suggesting he may have grown to approximately 231 centimeters.