Paris 2024 Olympics: after his absence in Montpellier, Wembanyama feels “a lot of excitement” at the idea of ​​facing Jokic and Serbia

Wembanyama et les Bleus enchaînent ce vendredi. MAXPPP – Laurent Lairys

France team star Victor Wembanyama feels "a lot of excitement" before taking on Serbian pivot Nikola Jokic, one of the best players in the world, Friday July 12 in Décines-Charpieu (Rhône) in a preparation match for the Paris Olympic Games.

"There is a lot of excitement and a lot of desire to learn too, to observe how the best do it , how they adapt", said Thursday "Wemby", who highlighted "the knowledge of the game" and the "capacity for anticipation" of the Denver pivot (2.11 m), NBA champion in 2023 and three-time best player (MVP) of the regular season (2021, 2022 and 2024).

Jokic reunites with the Serbs after skipping the 2023 World Cup, like Wembanyama, who will therefore be competing in his first competition with the Blues at the Olympic Games (July 26-August 11). "I still have trouble realizing that we are really going to play in the Olympics, but we have to be ready on the day", said the San Antonio prodigy (20 years old, 2.24 m), the first "rookie" (rookie) to have been elected, in May, best defender of the NBA season.

Absent in Montpellier 

Forfeited Monday in Montpellier against Germany due to a viral syndrome, Wembanyama will find the Blues on Friday who, in his absence, struggled, conceding their first defeat (65-70) after two victories in Germany and against Turkey, with 25 and 24 pts from Wemby).

He will continue to refine his relationship with the other twin tower Rudy Gobert (2.16 m), who will pass a test against the big Serbian interiors and Jokic.

The Nuggets' pivot, "an exceptional player" capable of scoring and distributing around him, "doesn't obsess" Collet. The coach wants Les Bleus to continue to be “defensively solid” and to “move the ball better”, against a Serbian defense “still rough”, than against Germany on Monday.