Victor Wembanyama spoke to L’Équipe ahead of France’s upcoming international challenges, discussing his new responsibilities as captain of the national team, his ambitions with Les Bleus and the importance of next year’s FIBA World Cup. The San Antonio Spurs star also reflected on his connection to Paris, the lessons learned from his leadership experience in the NBA and his willingness to play at power forward alongside Rudy Gobert.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave with the French national team? How important is next year’s World Cup to you?
What everyone is looking for is titles. We have seen in recent years that French basketball can grow and that we have potential, with the youth teams and player development. These are long-term projects on which I intend to have an impact. The World Cup is important because it is a title we have never won. And even if we had won it, I would still want to win it. It is also a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games.
Does this comeback bring back memories of the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Not really. The arena is different, unrecognizable. The lighting is not the same, the stands are different, the court is different. It feels like a completely different arena. We’ll see when the fans are there.
How much do you try to share your connection to Paris and the region with the people around you?
It’s important. It’s something I’m proud of, and I try to show it to those who don’t know much about it, or don’t know it at all. My teammates with the Spurs, for example, who came to the capital at the beginning of August. Whenever I get the opportunity, which hasn’t happened very often, to return to where I come from, I do it. Those are quality hours. Hours, and unfortunately rarely days.
You have recently become captain of the French national team. What kind of captain do you want to be? What message do you want to convey to your teammates?
These are questions that aren’t really problems: I have confidence in who I am and in what I can bring to a collective, both athletically and philosophically. In a project that, for me, is measured in years, even decades, it is something that will happen with time. It’s important not to skip steps. The goal is to get closer every day to the captain I want to be.
Can your experience as a leader with the San Antonio Spurs translate to the national team? Have you made mistakes that could help you?
(He whispers.) If I’ve made mistakes? Yes, I’ve made mistakes. It would take hours to summarize the experience I’ve gained. Coaching plays a huge role in going far in the playoffs, as does the quality of the players, but also the players’ willingness to sacrifice and execute the game plan.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave with the French national team? How important is next year’s World Cup to you?
What everyone is looking for is titles. We have seen in recent years that French basketball can grow and that we have potential, with the youth teams and player development. These are long-term projects on which I intend to have an impact. The World Cup is important because it is a title we have never won. And even if we had won it, I would still want to win it. It is also a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. (The two best European nations at the 2027 World Cup will qualify for Los Angeles, ed.)
You will face Slovenia on Thursday without Luka Dončić. Is that better or worse?
There will be discussions like that, but that’s not the mindset we have. I don’t ask myself whether it’s better or worse. From a competitive standpoint, deep down, I’m disappointed that I won’t get to play against him. The opportunity will come many more times. I’m not worried about that.
With the French national team, you have the opportunity to play at power forward. How different is it, and do you enjoy it?
The difference is fairly obvious: the power forward position is a little more passive, although it depends on the type of player. I enjoy playing with Rudy (Gobert), with Bigs of that level defensively. It puts me in unusual situations, like throwing lobs. I really enjoy doing that. You have to experiment; we will need it in the years to come.
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