Victor Wembanyama. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

France's Victor Wembanyama shakes off injuries in historic Olympics effort against Japan

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jul 30, 2024 4:09 PM ET

NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama shook off some reported discomfort during Team France's overtime defeat against Japan on Tuesday at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

According to an Associated Press and ESPN report, the San Antonio Spurs center grabbed his lower right leg after a "quick trip off the court late in the first quarter" and was favoring his left hip "a couple of times later in the game." The report added that Wembanyama "seemed to be laboring at times" during the contest and the 20-year-old said afterward that while his hip wasn't an issue, he was bothered by "other places."

That didn't stop the once-in-a-generation talent from making history.

Showed up when it mattered the most

Victor Wembanyama is the first player aged under 22 years old to combine for 15+ PTS, 10+ REB and 5+ AST in a game at the #Olympics.
#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/STJTwz8jdD
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 30, 2024

Wembanyama, as expected, towered over the opponents, especially Team Japan guard Yuki Togashi.

France center Victor Wembanyama (7'4") and Japan guard Yuki Togashi (5'4") pic.twitter.com/gGG7qfkqzx
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 30, 2024

The host country got a clutch, game-tying four-point play from Matthew Strazel with 10.2 seconds left in regulation to send things to overtime.

The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick was the clear standout, though.

France coach Vincent Collet said Victor Wembanyama displayed a “champion’s maturity and a champion’s mentality” by hitting big shots in crunch time after subpar start.
- “We need him. Our team has a lack of creation.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 30, 2024

Aside from Strazel's heroics, another crucial moment late in the tilt was when Japan power forward Rui Hachimura was ejected early in the fourth quarter after his second unsportsmanlike foul of the game.

France is now 2-0 and in good position to advance out of Group B.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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