Victor Wembanyama will assume a new responsibility for France as the men’s basketball national team captain.
The 22-year-old, who won Olympic silver at Paris 2024, assumes the captaincy from teammate and double Olympic medallist Rudy Gobert ahead of a crucial stretch of matches.
France return to action in the second round of European qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which itself is a qualifier for the Olympic Games LA28.
“Being captain is first and foremost about setting an example,” said Wembanyama (via Team France), “being a leader, through performance on the court, knowing the systems, the opponents, and bringing calm.
“This window is a good opportunity to experience this new chapter with the coaching staff as captain. It’s probably earlier than I expected, and likely earlier than everyone else expected. But it’s not rushed either. I’m honoured and excited. I wasn’t expecting it until [head coach, Frédéric Fauthoux] told me, but it’s a great honour.”
France finished top of their first round qualifying group and are now top of Group L with Estonia, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary and Sweden. Les Bleus will book their World Cup berth if they finish among the top three in the group.
In the upcoming international window, Wembanyama and his side will play two friendlies against Serbia before welcoming Slovenia in Paris on 27 August. France then make the trip to Stockholm to take on Sweden on 30 August.
‘Wemby’ comes off the back of a superb season with the San Antonio Spurs, as they won their seventh conference title though missed out on the NBA Finals crown to the New York Knicks.
