All-time top-ranked Victor Wimpanyama by the San Antonio Spurs will not play for France this summer at the FIBA World Cup. Instead, Wimpanyama will prepare for next season with Tottenham.
Wimpanyama is expected to play for France next summer at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Victor Wimpanyama will not play for France at the FIBA Basketball World Cup
Victor Wimpanyama reverses the decision and will not play for France at the World Cup to focus on his rookie season with Tottenham and the 2024 Olympics: https://t.co/Lv7OjSasMF
– Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 26, 2023
Originally, Wimpanyama was scheduled to play for France late this summer. However, Wimpanyama changed his plans, choosing to prepare for the NBA season and the upcoming Summer Olympics.
“It will not be realistic in terms of development and it will not be prudent in terms of health,” Wimpanyama told the French newspaper. the team. “I hope people understand. It’s frustrating for me too. The France team is still central to me. I want to win as many titles as possible with the team. But I think it’s a necessary sacrifice.”
The French national team is expected to be one of the competitors in the World Cup, which kicks off in August and runs until September in Manila, Philippines.
Victor Wimpanyama plans to suit up for Tottenham during the Summer League
By skipping the FIBA World Cup, Wembanyama now plans to don the Spurs outfit and play in some of the team’s summer league matches.
The Spurs are scheduled to play the California Classic on July 3 and July 5 before the start of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
It is unknown if Wimpanyama will play in the California Classic.