SAN Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyma really wanted to win Olympic gold for France in the successful men’s basketball final against Team USA.
The 7-foot-1 center was overcome with emotions after the Americans cruised to a 98-87 victory on Saturday.
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Wembanyama, 20, left it all on the court against the star-studded USA team.
The Spurs center recorded 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal, keeping France in the game until the final seconds.
When the final buzzer rang, tears began streaming down the face of the former No. 1 overall selection.
TV cameras showed Wemby’s mother, Elodie, comforting the NBA star as he fell into her arms.
Team USA’s Kevin Durant can also be seen hugging an emotional Wembanyama after the match.
France really fought back against the Americans, making it a one-point game with just over three minutes remaining in a late comeback.
But Steph Curry, 36, ensured the USA would take home gold for the fifth time in a row.
Curry responded to the French onslaught with a series of 3s to crush the hosts’ hopes.
Among them was an unbelievable lopsided triple over a double team that made it 93-87 to the USA with 36 left on the clock.
The Golden State Warriors star finished the game with 24 points, one rebound, five assists and two steals.
He later gave credit to France for causing his crew a lot of trouble.
“This was a test,” Curry told NBC.
“France, in building their home, you know they wouldn’t give up.
“They threw everything at us.”
NATIONS WILL WIN OLYMPIC GOLD IN BASKETBALL
Masculine:
- USA – 17
- Soviet Union – 2
- Yugoslavia – 1
Argentina – 1
women
- USA – 9
- Soviet Union – 2
- ’92 Unified Team – 1
With the victory, the USA took 17th place in men’s basketball at the Olympic Games.
She will also have the opportunity to add to her tenth place finish in the women’s game on Sunday – again in a clash with France.
But dominance on the field comes at a cost, men’s national team coach Steve Kerr said after the win.
“I think we might be the only team in the world whose fans will be ashamed of them if they get a silver medal,” Kerr said.
“That’s the pressure we face.
“But our players, and you saw Steph, they love the pressure. They enjoy this atmosphere.
“They were fantastic.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
