By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
16-year-old center Victor Wembanyama put on a historic, near-triple-double performance to lead the U18 Nanterre 92 win to a comeback win over Casademont Zaragoza in EuroLeague’s Adidas Next Generation Tournament opener in Kaunas.
Wembanyama posted 22 points, 15 rebounds, and an all-time competition-high nine blocks. The French big man shot 7/11 2-pointers, 1/3 3-pointers and 5/7 free throws while winning eight rebounds to accumulate 42 PIR.
“I was shocked. I was like ‘what’?. Is this a joke?” the 2.18 m. tall Wembanyama said after the game when asked how did he feel when he was called to join the squad after turning 16 years old just in January 4.
Per EuroLeague Basketball:
U18 Nanterre 92 came back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to collect its second victory at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Kaunas by knocking off fellow debutant U18 Casademont Zaragoza 86-94 in overtime with Victor Wembanyama setting a new competition record in blocks. Wembanyama tallied 22 points, 15 rebounds and 9 blocks – eclipsing the previous ANGT single game record of 8 blocks. Maxime Ekono picked up 20 points and 5 assists and Mateo Donnadieu nailed 5 three-pointers in the final 8 minutes of regulation and overtime for 17 points for Nanterre, which finished Group A play with a 2-1 record. Zaragoza lost its third game in the group despite Alvaro Martinez tallying 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Daniel Arjol had 17 points and Christian Hernandez added 15 points in the loss.
Photo: Robertas Eismontas – Zalgiris via EuroLeague Basketball