Victor Wembanyama has made it official: he’s suiting up for Team France this summer. But if all goes according to his plan, he won’t be there for the opening window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
And no, it’s not because the Louis Vuitton brand ambassador is planning a fashionably late arrival. It’s because he’s got bigger basketball business to handle first - namely, playing in his first NBA Finals.
“I hope I won't be able to make the first window-that would mean we went to the NBA Finals,” Wemby told the So French Pod. That first window runs from July 3-6, and the second from August 24-September 1.
The NBA Finals tip off June 3, and if it stretches to a Game 7, it wraps up June 19. That’s not exactly a long recovery period, but Wembanyama isn’t worried about rest right now - he’s focused on winning.
And make no mistake: this isn’t some pipe dream or motivational soundbite. Wemby’s been shifting the goalposts for San Antonio all season, and he’s doing it with a straight face and a dominant game to back it up.
From Playoffs to Finals: Wemby's Mindset Has Evolved
Back in October, just before the Spurs opened their season on the road in Dallas, Wembanyama was asked what success would look like for his rookie campaign. His answer? “Success would be getting to the playoffs and not play-in, so I guess that means sixth seed.”
That was the bar he set before he ever played a regular season NBA game. And then, just days later, he torched the Mavericks for 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks - a performance that, in hindsight, was more than just an arrival. It was a declaration.
At the time, it felt like a rookie making a splash. But now, with the benefit of months of context, it’s clear: Wemby wasn’t just announcing himself. He was setting the tone for a Spurs team that’s turned out to be a lot more than a rebuilding project.
This group isn’t playing like a bunch of young guys trying to figure it out on the fly. They’re executing late in games, closing out tight matchups, and winning at a clip that puts them in rare company. With roughly a third of the season left, San Antonio is winning 70% of its games - a pace that echoes the glory days of the Big Three era.
Wemby’s Not Waiting for the Future - He’s Forcing It to Arrive Now
What’s striking about Wemby’s rise isn’t just the numbers or the highlight-reel plays - though there’s plenty of both. It’s the way he’s embraced responsibility.
He’s not leaning on youth or inexperience as a crutch. In fact, he’s doing the opposite.
He’s treating this season like a launching pad, not a learning curve. And that mentality is rippling through the roster.
The Spurs aren’t just growing - they’re competing. And with Wembanyama leading the charge, they’ve got every reason to believe they can make a deep playoff run.
So when he talks about missing France’s first qualifier window because he’ll be playing in the Finals, it’s not wishful thinking. It’s a continuation of the mindset he’s had since day one: aim high, work like it’s possible, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
After what he just showed at the All-Star festivities, would you really bet against him? Good luck with that.