Victor Wembanyama and the Golden Generation: A French Basketball Revolution

Tariq Abdul-Wahad is a pioneer. He believed he had “opened a door” by becoming the first French national to play in the NBA after being drafted in eleventh position in 1997 and considered that Tony Parker was “building a highway” for French basketball players to the big league. Many have followed in their footsteps since. Mickael Piétrus, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum, Ian Mahinmi, etc. Until Victor Wembanyama.

But then what can we say about the path that the new darling of the San Antonio Spurs is charting? If Parker has built a fast track, the young pivot is building an airport with a direct line between France and the NBA. A phenomenon among phenomena, Wembanyama shed even more light on French talent, to the point where the League Pass application was broadcasting Betclic Elite matches before its arrival across the Atlantic. Eyes have never been so focused on the French championship and its various prospects.

“Wembanyama had a big impact in the NBA and one of the consequences is that there is obviously more interest in the French,” underlines Marin Sedlacek, Serbian coach and former NBA scout. Moreover, a year after the departure of the native of Chesnay for America, two of his compatriots are expected in the first two positions of the next draft. Blue, white, red basketball is preparing to achieve an unprecedented double by succeeding, at least barring any major surprises, in placing: a) two of its nationals in the first two places b) two of its nationals chosen first two years in a row . Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr – who left his native country at 14 – are the lucky ones, headliners of their promotion.

Alexandre Sarr in the Perth jersey

Credit: Eurosport

But it doesn’t stop there. Tidjane Salaün, trained in Cholet, is expected around tenth place. France could send three players into the top-10! Pacôme Dadiet (Ulm, Germany) and Melvin Ajinça ​​(Saint-Quentin) also have a chance of being selected on Wednesday and Thursday, even if it will probably be in the second round. Armel Traoré (Blois) and Mohamed Diarra (NC State) are registered for the draft but they already have less chance of being called up. In any case, France could have five players drawn this year. Enough to equal the record of the 2018 class.

A golden generation for the Blues?

A record that should eventually fall in the near future. Because young French players are fashionable at the moment and they are selected quite high. Before Victor Wembanyama (1st choice) and Bilal Coulibaly (7th) taken in the top-10 in 2023, there was Killian Hayes (7th) in 2020 or Frank Ntilikina (8th) in 2017. Others should follow soon.

Victor Wembanyama first pick in the 2023 NBA draft

Credit: Getty Images

“Victor and Bilal have changed the situation since last year in the perception of access to the highest level,” believes Jacques Monclar. Especially since the Federation seems to have placed emphasis on this. Clubs and training centers too. Athletic profiles are particularly sought after in the region and the pool is immense. France is a very valuable breeding ground for the NBA because it knows how to develop players with strong defensive versatility and physical skills above the norm. Conditions that facilitate their transition to the toughest league in the world.

The nuggets crowd the gate. Risacher and Sarr have not yet been drafted and the new prodigy has already arrived: “I am telling you that little Nolan Traoré is next. This kid has everything in store. He already has everyone behind him,” notes Monclar . A tall leader (1.92), quick with the ball in hand, a good finisher in the circle, the 18-year-old plays for Saint-Quentin and is presented as the second choice in the 2025 draft. Another potentially very high pick for the French, and this for a third year in a row.

The success of some publicizes others. But there will inevitably be disappointments. Moments where failures will push scouts to be a little more wary or to get a little less excited about French talent. Because the difficulties encountered by Theo Maledon, Ntilikina and Hayes recently are a reminder that in the end, the hardest part is not coming to the NBA, it’s staying there.

2024-06-25 13:24:52
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