Victor Wembanyama became the team captain of France’s national basketball team this year, despite being just 22 years old. He succeeded Rudy Gobert, who has been with the national team since his teenage years.
Wembanyama, who is coming off an NBA Finals run with the San Antonio Spurs, is the youngest player to hold the captaincy for France since Tony Parker in 2003.
That distinction is not something national teams around the world take very seriously.
Why Victor Wembanyama Became A Team Captain?
GettyFrance’s #32 Victor Wembanyama (L) and Serbia’s #15 Nikola Jokic react during the friendly basketball match between Serbia and France, at the Belgrade Arena, in Belgrade, on August 20, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP via Getty Images)
France’s head coach Frederic Fauthoux explained why they chose Wembanyama to be the team’s captain for the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers.
“It was a decision made by the coach and the staff,” Fauthoux said following the French team’s narrow 90-87 friendly loss to Serbia, which was led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic,. “I think the future belongs to Victor, that in his work ethic and his approach to the highest level, he is ambitious for his career with the French national team.”
Fauthoux then dropped a telling statement that encapsulated Wembanyama’s growth as a player.
“There was no point in waiting. The time was right,” he said.
Wembanyama is supported by a core group of veteran French teammates who bring critical experience to the national squad. Foremost among these veterans is Minnesota Timberwolves center Gobert, who is 34 years old.
He is joined in the lineup by Evan Fournier, a 33-year-old veteran guard and forward who currently plays for Olympiacos in the EuroLeague. Fournier played 12 seasons in the NBA, in which he played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons.
Victor Wembanyama Also Showed Maturity And Growth With The San Antonio Spurs
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with Stephon Castle #5 and De’aaron Fox #4 after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 111 to 103 to win Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Victor Wembanyama is not only showing growth and maturity in France but also for his San Antonio Spurs.
Wembanyama hosted a mid-summer mini-camp in France, bringing about nine of his Spurs teammates to the Parisian suburb of Nanterre for intense offseason workouts. The sessions took place at the facility of his former club, Nanterre 92.
Key teammates include De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Harrison Barnes, Tobias Harris, Carter Bryant, and Jordan McLaughlin.
The camp is to boost team chemistry and alignment following the Spurs’ deep run, drawing high praise from franchise leadership like CEO R.C. Buford.
“He sets a great example in his approach, in the way he takes care of his body, in the way he connects with his family and with his teammates,” Buford said in an interview with French media outlet TrashTalk.
“There are not many times where 10 guys from a team are flying halfway around the world to go work out together. And that’s done because of the respect and admiration and joy that Victor brings.”
Alongside the mini-camp, Wembanyama engaged in various activities to disconnect, including training sessions with Province Rugby and community appearances.
Following the mini-camp, Wembanyama shifted focus to the French national team’s exhibition matches and preparations.
With their offseason initiatives, on top of the experience they got from the playoffs, the Spurs are seen as one of, if not the, favorites to win the Western Conference next season. However, the conference remains a barnburner with stacked teams.
Why Victor Wembanyama Became France’s Captain At Age 22