Victor Wembanyama is making waves at the 2024 Olympics, just as he did during his standout rookie season in the NBA. The towering 7-foot-4 French center played a crucial role in Team France’s recent 94-90 overtime victory against Japan, showcasing his impressive skills on the international stage.
A memorable moment from the game was the stark contrast in height between Wembanyama and Japan’s 5-foot-6 guard Yuki Togashi. This unique matchup quickly gained attention online, becoming a viral sensation.
Victor Wembanyama shows no mercy on these kids in a basketball exhibition
Shone for France
Playing in his home country, the 2024 Olympics mark Wembanyama’s debut at the Games, although he has been a key player for France in previous international competitions, including EuroBasket 2022 and FIBA tournaments in 2019 and 2021.
In the game, Wembanyama led his team with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists over 31 minutes, underscoring his dominance on the court. In contrast, Togashi faced a tough challenge and managed just three points on 1 of 6 shooting in nearly 12 minutes.
Wembanyama’s strong Olympic performance builds on his remarkable first NBA season, where he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. His efforts earned him the Rookie of the Year title and a near win as Defensive Player of the Year.
Team France, bolstered by experienced NBA players such as Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, and Frank Ntilikina, remains undefeated in Group B with a 2-0 record. They are set to face world champions Germany next in what promises to be another exciting matchup.
Meanwhile, Japan, featuring players such as Rui Hachimura, former Brooklyn Net Yuta Watanabe and Pacers rookie Keisei Tominaga, is still seeking their first win after two losses. Their next challenge will be against Brazil.