PARIS (FRANCE) - Basketball fans can rejoice, as Victor Wembanyama will be back in a French jersey this August.
Wembanyama has been named in France's 15-player squad for the upcoming window alongside the likes of Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier, who also makes his return.
Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation.
The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year last suited up for the national team during the Paris 2024 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament, where France finished with a silver medal.
Wembanyama averaged 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during the tournament, and is now back to lead the charge towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
"It's extremely important for the future of the project we want to carry out," head coach Frederic Fauthoux said of Wembanyama's inclusion.
"Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation. His presence needs to become a tangible presence to create automatic plays with the others, both on the court and in their lives outside of basketball. It's as simple as that."
Wembanyama's debut with the senior national team came in the 2019 cycle of European Qualifiers - averaging 19.0 points per game in four appearances, whilst tying the single-game blocks record with 6 against Czechia.
France are in a strong position to qualify for Qatar 2027, as they head into the Second Round with a 5-1 record at the top of Group L.
Wembanyama and his teammates will host Slovenia in Paris to open the next phase in August, before heading to Sweden to close out the window.
FIBA