Wemby's thirst for revenge in rivalry with Chet

SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama is looking forward to trading blows with young NBA rival Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City in the months and years ahead. 

In revealing comments to the French sports paper L'Equipe, however, Wembanyama admitted: "It will be more special when we meet in the national team."

Until then, perhaps this summer in Paris, they compete fiercely in the NBA.

Wembanyama and Holmgren look to be in a dead heat for the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.

The two have already met thrice this year, with the Thunder winning twice. The Spurs, however, won the most recent matchup, 132-118. Holmgren continued to be impressive with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, but Wembanyama had the upper hand this time. The frenchman put up a spectacular line of 28 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks, and 5 three-pointers - making him the first player in the history of the NBA to reach those numbers.

 'Wemby', 20, is currently averaging an impressive 20.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.3 blocks per game in his first season with the Spurs.

San Antonio appear to be getting everything they hoped for and more from the player they selected first in last summer's NBA draft. The team hasn't won many games and is bottom of the Western Conference, yet a good young nucleus is in place and a bona fide superstar in the making in Wembanyama.

Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury in his foot so this is his rookie season, and he's turned it on, too, averaging 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 blocks a game. His Oklahoma City Thunder have 41 wins and 18 defeats, putting them near the top of the Western Conference.

Wembanyama v Holmgren is spicy no matter what but especially if national pride is at stake, as was the case when the two played in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Final in 2021.

In this game for the ages, USA prevailed over France in an 83-81 thriller.

The French wunderkind had a bigger game, dazzling with 22 points, eight rebounds and an eye-popping eight blocks. Holmgren was outstanding in the tournament, averaging 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He was named the U19 MVP. Wembanyama joined him in the All-Star Five after averaging 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.7 blocks. 

Will Wembanyama get his wish and meet Holmgren in a national team battle any time soon?

There is a possibility of a meeting at the Olympics in France. Wembanyama, who has already made his senior team bow and helped his country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers 2023, is all but certain to play for Les Bleus, while Holmgren was among the 41 players recently named in the 2024 USA national team pool.

What is clear about Wembanyama is that the U19 World Cup experience has stayed with him.

"Every time I face someone that was on that (USA) team - and it has happened several times - I remember it, and it's in the back of my mind," he said to L'Equipe.

"IT WILL BE MORE SPECIAL WHEN WE MEET IN THE NATIONAL TEAM" - Wembanyama on facing Holmgren

Even if they do not meet in France, they are almost certain to trade blows again in international basketball one day at World Cups and other Olympics.

For now, the basketball world can follow each at the start of what are likely to be brilliant careers for each.

FIBA