France followed up their runner-up finish in the 2020 Olympics with a second straight silver medal in the 2024 Olympics .
This time around, France came really close to toppling Team USA . Unfortunately for them, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Steph Curry caught fire and went unconscious, knocking down four consecutive three-pointers in the final 2:47 to stave off the French rally.
But while the Americans got the better of the French for the second consecutive Summer Games, former Washington Wizards All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas is worried about 2028. Agent Zero thinks the European powerhouse should be the favorite to win the gold medal in the Los Angeles games.
"Their best player is 19, 20 years old," said Arenas on Gil's Arena. "He's going to be 24 the next time you see him. But his supporting cast is also going to be 22, 23, 24. Because the two dudes who just got drafted is going to be on the team. They're seven-footers. They can shoot, they can dribble, and they're going to be three years, four years older."
Wemby will be more experienced in 2028
Of course, Arenas is talking about 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama , who led France's brave effort against Team USA in the gold medal game. Wemby gave it his all against his fellow NBA stars, scoring 26 points on 11-19 shooting, seven rebounds, and one steal, but it wasn't enough.
Victor led France in every major statistical category, and you can imagine how good he would be with four more years of NBA experience. Then France is also expected to integrate Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, who went No.1 and No.2 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Then there is also No.6 pick Tidjane Salaun, plus the holdovers of the 2024 team.
"So this team that they're going to have, is going to be more deadlier than you could possibly imagine," added Arenas. "Because now you're going to have it being run by a bunch of 6'9'' to seven-footers. Five people on the team is going to be damn near seven foot that's very agile."
Related: "You could just feel it, the lack of respect" - Alonzo Mourning on the tense environment in the gold medal game against France in the 2000 Olympics
Big Perk predicts Wemby will be the best player in 2028
With how he exceeded expectations during his rookie season in the NBA, experts believe Vic will eventually become one of the best players in the NBA, if not the best, once he adds more experience under his belt. ESPN's Kendrick Perkins thinks that Wembanyama has the potential to be the best in the world in 2028 .
"If he's healthy, absolutely," Perkins said on 'NBA Today.' "On both ends of the floor, his effect defensively… I don't know about you, but I've never seen anything like it. The amount of ground he's able to cover around the basket… and if he continues or when he continues to be a much-improved jump shooter, it's going to be over for the rest of the league."
If Big Perk is correct and France's 2024 NBA Draftees live up to the hype, then Arenas is correct that we may have to put them as the favorite over Team USA. With LeBron, Curry, and KD not likely there anymore, it will be interesting to see how the next batch of Team USA stars will fare against international competition. We saw a glimpse of that in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but it ended poorly for the Americans.
Related: Victor Wembanyama reacts to French compatriots being selected with the first two picks in the 2024 draft
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