Europe 1 with AFP 6:43 p.m., February 21, 2023

"My desire is to be in the France team this summer": Victor Wembanyama, young star of French basketball, was categorical on Tuesday in view of the World Cup organized at the end of the summer.

The tricolor international wants to make the Blues his priority and wants to get the message across to American franchises.

Metropolitans 92 basketball player Victor Wembanyama is categorical: he wants to play for the France team and compete in the World Cup which will take place from August 25 to September 10, 2023 in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

The American franchises have been warned and will have to deal with the enves of the "Frenchy" before the draft this summer.

After helping the Blues qualify for @FIBAWC 2023, Wemby wants to be there this summer in Asia #TeamFranceBasket |

#PassionatelyBlue |

#FIBAWCpic.twitter.com/aPFtG7p8S1

– French Basketball Teams (@FRABasketball) February 21, 2023

"I don't want to miss this event at all," explained the 20-year-old interior, big favorite for the No. 1 choice of the next NBA draft scheduled for early summer and whose presence could be called into question depending on the franchise that will host it.

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Two selections with the Blues

Wembanyama (2.21 m), who is currently evolving in Boulogne-Levallois under the orders of his selection coach Vincent Collet, has two selections with the Blues and is already a must before the trip to the Czech Republic on Thursday and the reception of Lithuania on Sunday, during the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.

France is already qualified for the competition which will take place in Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan from August 25 to September 10.

"I hope to learn as much as possible from this world to prepare for the Olympics," said Elite's top scorer during a press briefing, a year and a half before the French Olympic meeting.

"Decisions will be made later, maybe he wants today, but maybe he wants less in a month or two months," said Boris Diaw, general manager of the France team. .

"I think we have to wait, when making the selection we will need firm answers (…) but we are not asking people to position themselves firmly on this date", added the former Blues executive.