Wembanyama gets silver medal, as USA defeats France

The 2024 Paris Olympics Males’s basketball gold medal sport had all of the makings of a storybook ending. A 20-year-old celebrity had the prospect to win a gold medal in entrance of his fellow countrymen. Standing in Victor Wembanyama’s manner was among the best basketball groups ever assembled. France fought tooth and nail till the very finish, however couldn’t overcome Group USA in a 98-87 loss.

With the sport on the road within the final two minutes, the French trailed Group USA by three factors. After taking place 11 factors within the fourth, France rode the again of Wembanyama and former San Antonio Spurs guard, Nando De Colo, to a comeback. When it appeared just like the momentum was swinging again in France’s favor, Stephen Curry hit 4 three-pointers to bury the French and safe the gold.

After struggling in France’s final two video games, Wembanyama got here up massive within the gold medal sport. He had 26 factors and seven rebounds within the loss. Wembanyama led all scorers, making performs on the basket and hitting deep pictures to maintain France within the sport at each flip. He was aided by stellar performances from Guerschon Yabusele, who had 20 factors, together with a dunk on LeBron James, and De Colo who had 12 factors.

Group USA was led by the trio of Curry, James and Kevin Durant as soon as once more. The veteran three-some was essential to their semi-final sport towards Serbia. Curry had 24 factors and 5 assists. He shot 8-13 from three-point vary. Durant hit some massive pictures late within the sport, ending with 15 factors. James recovered from the Yabusele poster with a close to triple-double. placing up 14 factors, 10 assists and 6 rebounds.

France ratcheted up the strain on USA’s guards and compelled 17 turnovers. That strain is what acquired them again within the sport. They merely lacked the offensive firepower to take down a workforce nearly as good because the U.S. France shot 47.2% from the sector and 30% from deep, whereas Group USA shot 53.7% from the sector and 50% from deep.

Group USA wins its seventeenth whole and fifth straight gold medal. France finishes with a silver medal for the second straight Olympics, it’s the nation’s 4th whole Olympic medal, all of them silver. Issues are wanting up for the nation’s gold medal possibilities. Wembanyama is a bonafide celebrity at 20 years outdated who might be supported by up-and-coming gamers like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher and Nolan Traore.

Wembanyama left the courtroom in tears after the loss. As a second-year NBA participant, his Olympic journey is just starting. He will likely be on the middle of the basketball world for the subsequent decade and a few change. It definitely feels just like the U.S. and France will likely be duking it out for gold medals in FIBA and the Olympics for the foreseeable future. The 2024 Paris Olympics are simply the beginning of a blossoming worldwide rivalry.