Although Metropolitan 92 was defeated 3-0 by Monaco in the final series of the French basketball championship, young star Victor Wimpanyama is ready for the next chapter in his career. The 19-year-old is just a week away from attending the upcoming NBA draft as a projected first pick that should take him to the San Antonio Spurs franchise.
“I feel like I’m ending a part of my life, but for my loved ones as well. It’s the end of one phase and the beginning of a new one. Everyone congratulated me for what I’ve done this year and wished me good luck for the future. I’m ready for the NBA, I have no fears,” Wimpanyama told the press after losing the game. final.
Check out the last 22 player points scored in this week’s Metropolitans 92 final game:
During an exclusive post-match interview, Wembanyama talked about how he felt when he heard the crowd chant his name throughout the championship series.
“Yeah, it’s a memory I’ll keep in mind. I’m happy to give this opportunity to people to come and watch a basketball game here in a unique place. It’s a unique place,” said the rising star, even hearing “Wimpy, Wimpy!” chant during a tennis competition by Roland Jarrus.
By the end of the match, he regrets not having reached the title, but is grateful for the experience he is living. “I didn’t think it was the last because I wanted to win, but in the end it was special… But at the same time I am reassured that I will play matches again in France with the national team.”
When asked if he expected to have such a strong season with the Metropolitans, he only regretted not taking home the trophy.
“In my dreams and goals, I wanted to win the French championship,” he said. “There are still hurdles to come, but it’s an honor to be able to look Monaco in the eye in two of the three matches. Rocca’s team certainly finished third in the Euroleague, but for me, they are one of the top 30 teams in the world (including NBA).If you evaluate this season, I am proud of this young group, very united. We had our ups and downs but always knew how to recover.
“We worked, we got hurt. We got to a point in the competition that we didn’t necessarily expect. When I look at my team and everything that’s happened, I’m so proud of my guys.”
Although his team missed out on lifting the French Cup, Wimpanyama takes a lot of positive things from the experience
Wimpanyama knows this is just the beginning, and losing is part of any sport.
“I know there will be challenges in my future career in the NBA. And for me, they just prove to us that we deserve to be rewarded at the end. Every experience proves to me that I deserve to be rewarded in the end. Every defeat is more of a lesson than anything else.” .
“Personally, and this is my main line of progress, I have to be able to stay intense for long minutes when the coach needs me.”
After playing for both ASVEL and the Metropolitans in his youthful career, the 19-year-old reveals areas of the game he feels he has improved since turning pro.
“For me, other than the physical side, which I still have to work on at my age, I must gain leadership and succeed in managing responsibilities,” said the star. “I don’t even know if in the French championship the player had the same responsibilities as I did with the Mets 92. This charge is what made me go further. Especially with a mentor like Vincent (Collette).”