Wembanyama Sends Warning to Rivals After Olympic Silver

Victor Wembanyama, the French basketball sensation and San Antonio Spurs star, has issued a bold warning to future opponents following France's narrow defeat to the United States in the gold medal game of the 2024 Olympics. In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Wembanyama expressed his concerns for rival teams, stating, “I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years.” His comments suggest a growing confidence as he prepares to elevate his game on both the NBA and international stages. Despite the disappointment of securing silver for the second consecutive Olympics, Wembanyama showcased his talent with a standout performance, scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the final match. Throughout the tournament, he averaged 15.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, solidifying his status as a key player for the French team. The United States has maintained a dominant presence in Olympic basketball since 1992, with only one gold medal loss in 2004. Looking ahead, Wembanyama's potential impact on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is significant, especially as France continues to rise in international basketball. The team also features the first and second overall picks from the recent NBA draft, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, indicating a strong future for French basketball. Wembanyama's impressive rookie season in the NBA, where he averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds, further underscores his readiness to lead France in upcoming competitions.