Yardbarker
x
Victor Wembanyama prefers wining ‘rare’ Olympic gold to NBA championship
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama is destined for greatness. He showed as much in his rookie season and the Paris Olympics. Recently, he turned heads prioritizing an Olympic gold over an NBA championship. French fans will cheer on as they see Wemby as one with strong national pride and passion.

Not surprisingly, Victor Wembanyama isn’t alone here. Other NBA veterans, like  Carmelo Anthony , share his sentiments. The Knicks legend also claimed to value his Olympic gold medals over an NBA championship. The sentiments argue that the experience of playing for one’s country is distinct from playing for an NBA team. This comes with a unique level of pride and passion.

Olympic gold medal would mean the most right now because you can win way less in a career. It’s much more rare.

Victor Wembanyama via Sports Illustrated

Going back to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wemby led France to a silver medal, averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Although the next Olympic games are in 2028, with age on his side, Wembanyama remains eager to compete for gold.

Furthermore, as the new season approaches, Wembanyama aims to improve the Spurs’ performance, bolstered by the addition of Chris Paul . Fans believe that becoming a contender will take time, but the young Frenchman has shown that he is hungry to succeed both in the NBA and on the international stage.

Victor Wembanyama soars to number 11 in ESPN’s NBA rankings 

In what can only be described as a one-in-a-generation talent, Victor Wembanyama has made a significant leap in ESPN’s NBA Rank. The French superstar climbed from number 47 to number 11 after an impressive rookie season. His historic debut unanimously earned him the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year award.

There’s a general belief that he could become a top-5 player or the NBA’s best two-way player this season. He has demonstrated a unique ability to dominate offensively and defensively, which has set him apart. A potential Defensive Player of the Year also remains a target for the Frenchman.

Furthermore, as the centerpiece of the Spurs’ future, The Alien is poised to lead them back into title contention and establish himself as a perennial MVP candidate. Only time will tell if Wembanyama can accomplish all that is expected of him.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.