Victor Wembanyama played 31 minutes in Tuesday’s 94-90 win over Japan, amassing 18 points (6-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, two blocks, and three 3-pointers.
Wembanyama was at his best when the hosts needed him most, scoring France’s first eight points of overtime. A Matthew Strazel four-point play was required to force the extra period, and the 7-foot-4 phenom took over from there. The hosts’ roster has no shortage of proven NBA talent, but it’s clear who the star talent is. Wembanyama will be the key if France is to improve on its showing at the Tokyo Olympics, where it lost to the United States in the gold medal game.