Victor Wembanyama’s France team faced a tough challenge in the Paris Olympics final by falling short against Team USA with a close 98-87 loss. The defeat was a hard pill to swallow, especially for Wembanyama. He was visibly emotional after the game and shed tears over missing out on a gold medal.
Despite the heartbreak, Wembanyama found a silver lining in the experience. The young star had the opportunity to interact with their childhood idol, Kevin Durant. During a recent appearance on a French television station with Gabby Williams, Wembanyama shared the conversation he had with Durant after the game.
“He became my favorite childhood player. I made it clear that I wanted to learn from him [and] perhaps only steal 1 or 2 of his secret techniques,” Wembanyama said.
The San Antonio Spurs star’s performance was a bright spot for France, especially in the gold medal game. He scored 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting in just 30 minutes of play.
Victor Wembanyama Towers Over Kevin Durant, Gains High Praise from NBA Star
Victor Wembanyama is known not only for his incredible athleticism but also for his towering height of 7-foot-4. This physical presence was especially noticeable during a post-game interaction with Kevin Durant, when the 7’4” Wembanyama made the 6’11” Durant appear small in comparison. The mutual embrace between the two basketball stars caught the attention of fans.
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After the game, Durant had high praise for Wembanyama. He offered heartfelt recognition of the young player’s unique talent and potential.
“There’s an enthusiasm with the game. You can tell on the TV and playing against him,” Durant said.
“He’s his own player, person. He’s gonna create his own lane, much different than anybody who’s ever played. You can try to compare, but he’s gonna carve out his own lane,” he added.
Durant possibly marks the end of his Olympic career, while the Paris Olympics mark the beginning of Victor’s Olympic journey.
