Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out of participating in EuroBasket 2022 with the French national team due to an injury suffered last season, the organization announced.
Wembanyama was first injured during the playoffs with ASVEL Basket in the LNB Pro A, the top league in France. He has not yet been cleared to return to the court due to what the team called a muscle injury.
The 7-foot-3 center was initially among 17 players named to the French roster ahead of EuroBasket 2022, which will run Sept. 1-18. The team, in consultation with his doctor, will hold him out of action to allow the injury to properly heal.
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Wembanyama, who is projected to be the top pick next year, averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots last season. He competed in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 14 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks and 1.4 assists to help France earn the silver medal.
The 18-year-old enters next year considered the top prospect in quite some time. He dazzles on the court with his fluidity and does things players his size shouldn’t be able to do. Teams will also be thoroughly impressed with his 7-foot-9 wingspan and ability to alter shots.
Wembanyama opted to change teams ahead of next season. He will play for Metropolitans 92 under head coach Vincent Collet, who is also with the French national team. The move is expected to better prepare him for the transition to the NBA next year.
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