The 2024 Paris Olympics Males’s basketball gold medal sport had all of the makings of a storybook ending. A 20-year-old celebrity had the prospect to win a gold medal in entrance of his fellow countrymen. Standing in Victor Wembanyama’s method was the most effective basketball groups ever assembled. France fought tooth and nail till the very finish, however couldn’t overcome Staff USA in a 98-87 loss.
With the sport on the road within the final two minutes, the French trailed Staff USA by three factors. After taking place 11 factors within the fourth, France rode the again of Wembanyama and former San Antonio Spurs guard, Nando De Colo, to a comeback. When it appeared just like the momentum was swinging again in France’s favor, Stephen Curry hit 4 three-pointers to bury the French and safe the gold.
After struggling in France’s final two video games, Wembanyama got here up huge within the gold medal sport. He had 26 factors and seven rebounds within the loss. Wembanyama led all scorers, making performs on the basket and hitting deep photographs to maintain France within the sport at each flip. He was aided by stellar performances from Guerschon Yabusele, who had 20 factors, together with a dunk on LeBron James, and De Colo who had 12 factors.
Staff USA was led by the trio of Curry, James and Kevin Durant as soon as once more. The veteran three-some was essential to their semi-final sport towards Serbia. Curry had 24 factors and 5 assists. He shot 8-13 from three-point vary. Durant hit some huge photographs late within the sport, ending with 15 factors. James recovered from the Yabusele poster with a close to triple-double. placing up 14 factors, 10 assists and 6 rebounds.
France ratcheted up the stress on USA’s guards and compelled 17 turnovers. That stress is what obtained them again within the sport. They merely lacked the offensive firepower to take down a crew nearly as good because the U.S. France shot 47.2% from the sphere and 30% from deep, whereas Staff USA shot 53.7% from the sphere and 50% from deep.
Staff USA wins its seventeenth complete and fifth straight gold medal. France finishes with a silver medal for the second straight Olympics, it’s the nation’s 4th complete Olympic medal, all of them silver. Issues are trying up for the nation’s gold medal probabilities. Wembanyama is a bonafide celebrity at 20 years outdated who might be supported by up-and-coming gamers like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher and Nolan Traore.
Wembanyama left the courtroom in tears after the loss. As a second-year NBA participant, his Olympic journey is simply starting. He shall be on the heart of the basketball world for the following decade and a few change. It actually feels just like the U.S. and France shall be duking it out for gold medals in FIBA and the Olympics for the foreseeable future. The 2024 Paris Olympics are simply the beginning of a blossoming worldwide rivalry.
