San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will make his return to the French national basketball team this week for two friendly matches against Serbia, marking his first appearance for France since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The superstar big man has not worn the national jersey since France lost the Olympic gold medal game to the United States in Paris two years ago. France will face Serbia in Belgrade on Thursday before hosting the Serbians in Orleans on Saturday.
Following the double confrontation against Serbia, France will turn to two qualification matches for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar. Les Bleus host Slovenia in Paris on August 27 and then travel to play Sweden three days later on August 30.
Wembanyama was unable to participate in EuroBasket in 2025 and also missed recent international qualifying windows. His return comes as France prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers under updated tactical systems and a refreshed roster.
Adapting to a new coaching system
Addressing the squad's evolution over the past two years, Wembanyama said he did not find it difficult to rebuild chemistry with his teammates. He noted that many players are relatively new to the setup, including returning veteran guard Evan Fournier and new head coach Freddy Fauthoux. He added that the transition felt smooth because he has already played either alongside or against almost everyone in the group.
The national team has undergone a complete tactical shift following the departure of former head coach Vincent Collet two years ago. Wembanyama said it felt good to learn new play styles and tactical systems under Fauthoux and his new coaching staff, describing the total overhaul of the playbook as an interesting challenge.
Outside of basketball preparations, Wembanyama has continued pursuing unusual athletic activities during his quest for versatility. The French star recently participated in a training session wearing cleats with French Pro D2 rugby club Provence Rugby, and he also suffered a lighthearted chess defeat against a six-and-a-half-year-old opponent, taking full responsibility for the loss.
Reconnecting with French supporters
Wembanyama also expressed eagerness to play in front of French basketball fans once again. He said he was curious to see how the home crowd has evolved, noting that basketball is a growing sport in France and that it had been a long time since he last wore the national jersey before a domestic audience.
Reflecting on the importance of international play, the Spurs center stated that wearing the national jersey is a powerful experience due to the brevity of international commitments. He pointed out that major tournaments like the Olympics last only a few weeks and emphasized that players have very few total matches across an international career, meaning every single game carries immense weight.
Wembanyama's return comes at a key moment for French basketball as Fauthoux establishes a new identity ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Qatar. With senior leaders like Fournier back alongside Wembanyama, France aims to build momentum through their upcoming friendlies against Serbia and the qualifiers against Slovenia and Sweden.
