Victor Wembanyama not playing for France in 2023 FIBA World Cup

A sad news for international fans waiting for this year’s FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, as Victor Wembanyama has decided to forgo his service for France on the grand tilt.

The French wunderkind revealed to L’Équipe that he will not take his act for the Les Blues at the World Championships from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10. He described this important decision as “difficult” but “irrevocable.”

Wembanyama, who was hailed as the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s NBA Draft, has consistently expressed his intent to represent the proud colors of his country in the World Cup from the past. But given the hectic schedule that he is about to further face and the amount of familiarity he needs to seize as the newest cornerstone of the silver and black franchise following his grinding finish for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A, this decision he made is truly tough, yet understandable on his part and endeavors.

San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich already confirmed that Wembanyama will suit up for them in the NBA Summer League, but reiterated that his exact availability on the tourney is yet to be determined. The Spurs are one of the participating teams in the California Classics in Sacramento on July 3, and it will take place four days before the Las Vegas tournament in which all 30 clubs of the league will participate.

France occupies a spot in the highly competitive Group H of the World Cup. They are about to battle Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon within the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta for the Group Phase.

The French cagers are looking to further elevate their dominance in the FIBA landscape after clinching the bronze medal of the previous 2019 World Championships in China.