France Needs Spurs' Victor Wembanyama After Stunning FIBA Upset Loss

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama was missed by France in its FIBA World Cup run, which ended prematurely in the first round.

SAN ANTONIO - France has become one of the five best nations in basketball, largely thanks to Tony Parker, so their flame out at the FIBA World Cup was stunning. 

A team that entered at least hoping for a silver medal won't even qualify for knock out play after a disastrous loss to former San Antonio Spurs forward Davis Bertans and the Latvians.

The reason for my interest in the French is of course Victor Wembanyama, who elected not to play in the World Cup in order to focus on his rookie season in San Antonio. 

“I’ve decided to dedicate this summer to preparing my body for the many events awaiting it in the coming years,” Wembanyama said in early August, several weeks after being officially drafted to the San Antonio Spurs. “This meant skipping the World Cup. It was a difficult decision, and one that required the advice of many people. But I sincerely believe it’s the best one for the French team and myself.”

That won't be the case next year. Especially not after the massive letdown by his countrymen during this year's World Cup.

Not only will Wemby want to help France to a much better showing in the 2024 Summer Olympics the event is being held, of all places ... Paris. 

It's not ideal for Spurs fans who will worry about injury. But the Spurs wouldn't dream of asking Wembanyama not to play. Certainly not next year. Certainly not with what happened at the World Cup. That was an embarrassment.