Wembanyama Leads France vs. Team USA: Could Mavs’ Dončić Face Similar Stakes in 2028?

As France prepares to take on Team USA in the Olympic Gold Medal game at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the spotlight shines brightly on Victor Wembanyama, the young phenom who has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the world.

Surrounded by a roster stacked with NBA talent, including the likes of Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum, France's return to the Olympic final emphasizes the critical role that NBA-caliber players play in achieving success on the international stage.

Wembanyama, alongside his experienced teammates, has propelled France to the pinnacle of international basketball. The French National Team’s success is a testament to the power of having multiple players with NBA experience, providing the talent and depth needed to compete with international basketball powerhouses like the United States. With a roster that boasts significant NBA ties, France has been able to consistently challenge for medals, leveraging the high level of competition and development that their players have experienced in the NBA.

In contrast, Luka Dončić's Slovenia faces a different challenge. Slovenia's remarkable run to the semifinals in Tokyo 2020 was driven by Dončić's brilliance, but replicating that success has proven difficult. Slovenia's current roster only includes three players with any connection to the NBA: Dončić himself, Zoran Dragić, who hasn't played in the league since 2015, and Vlatko Čančar, who has primarily played in the G-League. While Dončić is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, even his generational talent may not be enough to carry Slovenia to gold without a stronger supporting cast.

For Slovenia to create a competitive edge on the international stage and perhaps make a push for gold in 2028, they need to bolster their roster with more NBA-level talent. The challenge, however, lies in Slovenia's small population, which limits the pool of NBA-caliber athletes. One potential solution is to follow the path that many national teams, including Slovenia, have already taken: naturalizing players from other countries.

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Josh Nebo, originally from Houston, TX, is one such example, having gained Slovenian citizenship to join the national team. Discussions have also surfaced about Daniel Gafford, Dončić’s current teammate with the Dallas Mavericks, potentially acquiring Slovenian citizenship.

Although Gafford’s naturalization did not happen in time for the Paris 2024 Olympics, his addition could significantly strengthen Slovenia's chances in the future. Gafford's shot-blocking, rebounding, and lob-finishing ability would provide Dončić a reliable inside presence, easing some of the burden currently resting on the star's shoulders.

Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics, the possibility of a fully-loaded Slovenia, led by the future Hall of Famer Luka Dončić, taking on the world's best, much like Wembanyama's France is doing now, becomes increasingly exciting.

If Slovenia can successfully add more NBA-level talent, they could very well find themselves competing for a gold medal, with Dončić leading the charge. The pathway is clear: to challenge the dominance of teams like the USA and France, Slovenia must evolve, much like their European counterparts have, by assembling a roster rich in NBA experience.