Victor Wembanyama led France to a narrow 94-90 overtime victory over Japan in the group-stage matchup. He posted a double-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. His performance was marked by a memorable moment in overtime, where he let out a curse-laden scream in English after making a crucial bucket.
Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News noted Wembanyama’s choice of language. The reporter asked him about it after the game. Wembanyama replied that it was a universal expression of emotion in the heat of competition.
That’s a basketball player thing… I think in Mongolia, Australia, or the North Pole, they say it.
Victor Wembanyama via San Antonio Express-News
Wembanyama’s performance and quote have further solidified his status as a rising star in the basketball world. He is already showing an impressive range of skills, including three-point shooting, dunking, and shot-blocking. Wemby remains key for the French team to win the Olympic gold.
After Victor Wembanyama’s last bucket in overtime for the French team, he screamed, “Lets f***ing go!” … in English. I asked him if the US has rubbed off on him.
“That’s a basketball player thing,” he said. “I think in Mongolia, Australia or the North Pole, they say it.”
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) July 30, 2024
As France moves forward in the Olympics, they will likely face Team USA. This will test Wembanyama’s abilities against the best players in the world. Team USA remains a favorite to win the gold. As such, Wemby and the French team must overcome them to capture the gold medal. Until then, he continues to dazzle audiences with his skills and personality.
A tale of two heights as Victor Wembanyama and Togashi face off in Olympic showdown
Victor Wembanyama, the tallest player at the 2024 Olympics, faced off against Yuki Togashi, the shortest player, in a matchup between France and Japan. This unique pairing offered a different perspective than fans are accustomed to seeing, with Wembanyama standing tall at 7’4″ and Togashi measuring just 5’6″.
Togashi has had a successful career in Japan, with a brief stint in the NBA Developmental League in 2014-15. He was a second-round pick by the Golden State Warriors affiliate in Santa Cruz, but an ankle injury cut his season short.
Victor Wembanyama, making his first Olympic appearance, is coming off a historic rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, earning Rookie of the Year honors and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
