Victor Wembanyama wrapped up his run with Team France by doing what he so often does: taking over a game in a way that shows up everywhere on the box score and in the flow of the action. France beat Team Sweden 84-69 in the FIBA qualifiers, and with the NBA season approaching, the Spurs star’s international stint is now finished.
Wembanyama posted 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks in 29:33, shooting 6/7 from the field, 1/1 from three and 5/8 at the line. He finished at +16. France might have turned the game into a larger blowout if it had gone to him more often, but the result was never really in doubt.
What stood out most was how complete his presence felt. Even when he wasn’t the one finishing possessions, he was still in the middle of everything for France - handling the ball, setting screens, cleaning the glass and affecting the game on both ends. That kind of control is exactly what Spurs fans want to see from a player with his ceiling.
The other encouraging sign came in the paint. Wembanyama barely looked to the perimeter until late in the fourth quarter, and most of his damage came inside.
When he caught the ball deep, defenders had little answer for him. He did give the defense a break a few times with quick passes, but he also used a variety of post moves that should catch the attention of anyone in San Antonio.
He has worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon, and that footwork showed up here more clearly than it did at times last season.
There was one concern, though: the free throws. Wembanyama opened 1/4 before closing the game by going 4/4.
He shot 83% from the line last season, which is solid for a big man, but misses in key moments can swing games over an 82-game season or in the playoffs. It didn’t hurt France here, but it remains a detail he’ll need to keep tightening up.
For France, the night ended with a win. For Spurs fans, it offered two reasons to feel good and one reminder that there’s still work to do. Wembanyama looked like the best player on the floor, showed off a more polished interior game, and left behind the same message he always does: when he’s involved, everything changes.
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Richard Jefferson recently pointed to the next step as the one that could really change the conversation, suggesting Castle is positioned for a larger role and more confidence going forward. Coming off a second season in which he averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists, Castle is no longer just a promising piece for the Spurs - he is starting to look like the kind of player who could force an All-Star debate as soon as next season. [Read more 🡒]
Tony Parker Just Put Real Pressure On Victor Wembanyama And Spurs
Victor Wembanyamas ascent already has the Spurs talking like a contender, and Tony Parker is adding a little more fuel to the expectations. The former San Antonio star recently backed Wembanyamas future in a big way, pointing to the young centers ability to anchor a championship run while the Spurs keep reshaping the roster around him with additions like DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Tobias Harris.
That kind of confidence comes with a hefty standard attached, especially after Wembanyamas breakout season, when he put up eye-catching numbers across the board and helped push San Antonio all the way to the NBA Finals. Parker also sees the pressure extending beyond the Spurs, with Wembanyama positioned as the kind of player who could lead France to the top of the international game, which only raises the stakes for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Already Have A Tough Luke Kornet Decision Brewing
Luke Kornet has given the Spurs exactly what they needed behind Victor Wembanyama: steady defense, reliable minutes and a center rotation that can survive the nights when the superstar needs a breather. But even with that value, the front office is still juggling the bigger picture, because Kornet is on a multi-year deal and San Antonio is trying to keep its salary-cap books flexible while building around a young core.
The wrinkle is that the Spurs do not view the backup-center spot as settled for long. Rookie Tarris Reed Jr. is in the mix as a possible future answer if he proves ready, while Jayden Quaintances expected extended absence adds another layer of uncertainty to the depth chart. For now, Kornet remains a useful piece, but the path forward at center looks like one of the more interesting decisions San Antonio will have to make as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]