US men’s Olympic basketball team is stacked with LeBron James, Steph Curry
NBA star-studded U.S Olympic roster looks to capture their fifth-straight gold medal at the Paris Games.
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France – France phenom Victor Wembanyama put on a show for the home crowd in his Olympics debut.
The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama soared for dunks, blocked shots and steals with his eight-foot wingspan, energizing the home fans and leading France to a 78-66 victory over Brazil on Saturday in Group B of men’s 5×5 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Wembanyama, who plays for San Antonio Spurs, had 19 points, including 14 in the first half, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks. He was 7-for-13 from the field and left points on the court, going 4-for-7 on free throws.
On a France team with experience and Olympic medalists, the 20-year-old Wembanyama was the best player on the court – a force offensively and defensively
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French fans filled Pierre Mauroy Stadium – a soccer stadium 140 miles north of Paris that has been converted into a massive basketball and handball arena for the Summer Games – and they were not disappointed.
Especially with the NBA’s 2023-24 Rookie of the Year.
He scored 11 points in the second quarter as France eliminated a 23-15 deficit and took a 39-36 lead into halftime. During a 40-second stretch late in the second quarter, he had two massive dunks including one that had the Internet abuzz with its otherworldly Space Jam qualities.
Wembanyama scored just five points in the second half, but had an assist, two steals and two blocks in the third quarter as France took control of the game.
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