Wembanyama's amazing first Olympic experience undercut from beginning

Victor Wembanyama's first Olympic experience was the stuff of dreams. The young San Antonio Spurs star led Team France in a bid for gold, carrying the hopes of his country on his shoulders. His performance in the final round was incredible. But from the very beginning of the tournament, his Olympic journey was marred by a decision that left many in France angry: Joel Embiid’s choice to play for Team USA instead of France.

Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers' star and former NBA MVP, had initially expressed interest in representing France on the international stage. To accommodate him, France even expedited his citizenship, clearing the path for a formidable frontcourt trio of Embiid, Rudy Gobert, and Wembanyama.

France could have done some damage with Embiid on the team

French head coach Vincent Collet had grand plans to deploy these three giants together—a peculiar but fascinating strategy that could have reshaped the tournament if it had worked.

But Embiid’s decision to betray France and join Team USA instead left a massive hole in what could have been an unmatched defensive wall and a potentially unstoppable offensive attack. The crowd didn't let him forget it either—every time Embiid touched the ball during the tournament, he was met with a chorus of boos from the French supporters, a clear sign of their disappointment and frustration. To Embiid's credit, he let it empower him and seemed to feed off of it the more it went on.

Coach Collet's plan, which centered around utilizing Gobert, Wembanyama, and Embiid together, was never realized. While it's impossible to say definitively whether the trio would have worked or not, there's one thing that can't be denied: Embiid's presence on Team USA made a significant difference. His performance was everything for the Americans against Serbia, and it’s hard to envision them winning the game without Embiid based on how it was going.

For Wemby, who had an awesome tournament, leading his team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks and showing flashes of brilliance, the experience was bittersweet. He played well, but the “what if” of Embiid’s defection can't be avoided. It’s a testament to Embiid’s talent—whether you love or hate him for his on-court antics, his ability to impact the game must be acknowledged.

Gobert ended up on the bench for the vast majority of the final three games, and that would not have happened to Joel Embiid.

Had the former Kansas Jayhawk chosen France, Vic might have left the Olympics with a gold medal around his neck, adding yet another accolade to his rapidly growing list of achievements. The problem caused by the inability to double Joel Embiid because Wembanyama would go ballistic and vice versa would have been a fever dream for France's opponents.

Instead, Wemby returns to San Antonio with a silver medal—a tremendous achievement—and the knowledge that even the best-laid plans can be upended by the decisions of others.

Wembanyama's Olympic journey may have been undercut from the start, but it’s also a learning experience. One that he said he is absorbing like a sponge and will utilize to dominate the sport for years to come. Scary hours are approaching for every player who lines up across from a legend in the making with the skill, will and physical attributes to destroy you whenever he wants. It won't be pretty.