By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Far from the best performance in his young career, the leading candidate for the first selection in the 2023 NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama was held to the losing end of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne routing Metropolitans 92, 86-69, Tuesday.
Wembanyama, 19, made only 3/13 from the field in a 15-point showing. But with 11 rebounds posted a double-double in France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Round 24 game. The 32-minute effort additionally included three blocks, one steal, and one assist for the league leader in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Similar to all venues visited by the French prodigy throughout the 2022-23 season, the Astroballe was at capacity with fans rushing to enjoy Wembanyama before his unique talents shift to the NBA. The young upstart actually spent the 2021-22 season at ASVEL before moving to the Mets for more playing time heading to the NBA draft. Welcoming him back, his former team devoted pregame to handing the championship ring from last season’s domestic league title.
Experienced guard Nando De Colo and 23-year-old forward Yves Pons both put in 17 points for T.J. Parker’s side, recent winners of the midseason domestic tournament Leaders Cup. Jonah Mathews chipped in 14 more points.
More action wrapping up Round 23 of France’s top-tier division, ESSM Le Portel defeated Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, 78-70, in Le Chaudron. Youngster Nadir Hifi paved the way with 21 points.
Pro A Round 23
Metropolitans 92 – SLUC Nancy 93-87
JDA Dijon – Fos-sur-Mer 95-97
Limoges CSP – Cholet 65-82
Le Mans – BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque 108-86
JL Bourg – ADA Blois 101-57
SIG Strasbourg – Paris 96-76
Roanne – AS Monaco 74-85
Nanterre 92 – LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 61-82
ESSM Le Portel – Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez 78-70
Pro A Round 24
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne – Metropolitans 92 86-69
ADA Blois – Roanne (17/3)
Paris – Nanterre 92 (17/3)
AS Monaco – ESSM Le Portel (21/3)
BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque – Cholet (21/3)
Le Mans – Limoges CSP (12/4)
SLUC Nancy – JDA Dijon (18/4)
Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez – JL Bourg TBA
Fos-sur-Mer – SIG Strasbourg TBA
STANDINGS: Monaco 19-4, Metropolitans 92 17-7, Cholet 16-7, ASVEL 14-9, Dijon 14-9…