The rumor had been running for three days and information appeared on the ESPN website, the reference sports media in the United States. It was confirmed this Friday by a simple press release on the social networks of the Boulogne-Levallois club. The Mets92, nickname of the Ile-de-France team, will fly to the United States in early October to play two gala matches against the G-League team Ignite. A formation made up of young talents from all over the world and which evolves in the antechamber of the NBA. The two games, scheduled for October 4 and 6, will be played at the Dollar Loan Center, located in Henderson in the suburbs of Las Vegas. Chance of the calendar, an NBA preseason game between the Lakers and the Suns will be played at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas on 5…
An invitation for an American tour whose main – unique – objective is to allow Victor Wembanyama to show the extent of his talent and his potential, on his future promised land, a few months before the next NBA Draft. The great annual mass of world basketball where the 18-year-old French prodigy, with the physique of a pivot (2.19 m) and the dexterity of a winger, is announced in first place by the specialists. During this double duel, “Wembz” will be opposed to another phenomenon, the US leader Scoot Henderson (also 18 years old) whom the projections send to… second place in this same Draft.
A clash at the top, therefore, between two of the future stars of the NBA that ESPN could not miss, which will broadcast the two games to its subscribers.
Forced to adapt to the timing of the American team, this trip to the other side of the Atlantic will take place after the start of the Betclic Elite season in France. Vincent Collet’s players will have already played three games before taking their plane. The Boulogne-Levallois club, which was to travel to Roanne on October 8, requested and obtained the agreement of its opponent to postpone the match from the 4th day of the championship. It was finally set for December 6.
The two teams playing only one match per week – not being concerned by European competitions – the modification of the calendar did not pose a problem. The trip should not overload the Mets calendar – where Hugo Besson, chosen in 58th position in the last Draft – also evolves – nor jeopardize the health of the players. Above all, it constitutes a formidable exhibition and promotion for French basketball and its championship.
Nevertheless, this express trip to the country of Uncle Sam calls out. Has business become more important than sports? It will also be the first time in the history of French professional basketball that a team has interposed a trip and matches in the middle of the championship. But with Wembanyama, double best youngster of Betclic Elite and champion of France with Asvel last season, the extraordinary becomes the norm. We should not be surprised by anything with this player scrutinized by teams and basketball fans around the world. And the year promises to be capital for the native of Chesnay and former resident of the training center of Nanterre.
