At worst there’s one kind of loser but Victor Wembanyama opting to sign with Metropolitans 92 might be best for everyone interested in his future, not least himself
Winners and losers columns are a tried and test format. This one, it’s a little different. It’s a winners and one, maybe, kinda, loser who probably is still a winner or where he already was.
Winner: Victor Wembanyama
We, of course, wouldn’t even be having this discussion today if Wembanyama was a few days older because he’d have been eligible for the 2022 NBA draft. As it is he’s moving to a team which effectively guarantees him more minutes and a prominent role while still playing at European level.
While Eurocup isn’t Euroleague, it’s still a really high standard for any 18 year old to compete at and the format means his team is guaranteed a minimum of 18 games, with more likely given that 16 of the 20 teams in the competition make the knockout stages and his new side made it to the quarter finals last time out.
He still has a NBA veteran with championship experience in the front office, in Boris Diaw instead of Tony Parker at Asvel, and the BetClic Elite is both a good standard of national league coupled with having impressive intensity in the regular season. That ensures Wembanyama will have a situation that suits his development ahead of June 2023.
Winner: Metropolitans 92
The power in the French league goes through Asvel and Monaco for the foreseeable as they both have far greater financial muscle than the rest of the league. There’s potential for a Paris area club to catch fire by attracting investors but doing that is easier if you’ve got something they want to invest in. Wembanyama puts the club in front of the basketball world and its backers for the next 12 months. His one year stint could prove beneficial off the court for much longer.
More immediately, the easy part, Wembanyama is a tremendous player already. He gets discussed as a prospect because of his age but he clearly provides a level that enables him to contribute significantly on all fronts in the coming season.
Winner: NBA scouts
The idea that scouts can’t get a good idea of a player because they are in, heaven forbid, Europe is finally being buried properly thanks to Adam Sandler of all people. I still haven’t watched Hustle but I hear only great things. Hopefully this weekend.
That said, they will get about as good a situation as they could ask save only for Luka Doncic’s last 12 months in Europe in terms of examining Wembanyama’s effective fit. Between the level of activity a certainty to go up while also likely to get a good workload and his aforementioned increased role, they’ll get as good an idea of what the young man can do against pros as it gets.
BallinEurope has a book, a real life actual book called I Like it Loud, and you can buy it on Amazon now. It’s here as a book and here in Kindle form.
Winner: Nike
Now, we’re getting interesting. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Doncic broke ground for Euro ballers in terms of signature shoes and the secret is more than out that a baller can have English as a second* language and still move merch.
The hunt for Wembanyama’s signature is going to be fierce but moving to the Paris region gives Nike a big opportunity given its extensive investment already around sports in the city. Paris St Germain has been the focal point but there’s a natural bridge there for the shoe giant to broaden its association in the French capital. With other brands certainly gunning for him, Nike’s presence in Paris gives it an edge here.
*Many people who are friends of this site will argue both have better English than me.
Potential winner: Asvel
Correct, this is not the maybe-loser. Losing a talent like Wembanyama isn’t ideal, obviously, but if managed correctly this could be a positive for the club. Wembanyama opted out to go to Metropolitans, Asvel will surely be telling every prospect around France’s parents, along with every agent across Europe, that this shows it will sign such deals as it puts players first.
Asvel wants to be the home of French talent, brilliant. In order to do that, it’s best to look like it will do what is best for said talent. It benefitted from the presence of Wembanyama on the court. It could well gain from his departure if it manages the messaging correctly.
The nearest thing to a loser: TJ Parker
I mean, it’s a stretch and a really long one to say he’s a loser in this scenario but Tony’s younger brother, who is head coach of Asvel, has just lost the last European year of Wembanyama. Given the challenges presented by Euroleague and the French League, or at least Monaco in the latter, it’s good to have every talented player he can find but…Parker managed to lead Asvel to the title without Wembanyama healthy for most of the playoffs and if his side doesn’t excel in 2022/23, people won’t blame it on the loss of Wembanyama.
If anything, Parker can benefit from it. Youth helps but youth that isn’t leaving is easier to plan around when thinking about more than just the season ahead. He’s in position to build something really special at the club although improved performances in Euroleague are a must to avoid awkward chats at family get togethers.
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