Victor Wembanyama is a nearly unstoppable force in the NBA, and he might be better when playing for his country.
Wembanyama put up 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting on Sunday, helping France pull away from Sweden late in the second half of a FIBA World Cup qualifying game played before a record crowd of 14,750 at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Wemby put on a show, maybe just not what the Swedish fans hoped to see.
WEMBY DELIVERED.
18 PTS on 6/7 FG, 8 REB and 3 BLK for the French superstar against Sweden pic.twitter.com/InyHXi1ubn
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2026
Two of these plays deserve to be looked at again. First, the body control on this drive then the vision to make a pass normally reserved for point guards is amazing.
Wemby floats through and drops the inch-perfect dime. #FIBAWC | #StepItUppic.twitter.com/kKXN2FqMAO
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2026
Then there is this offensive rebound and putback that left the defender helpless.
Victor Wembanyama continues to amaze, amaze, amaze. #FIBAWC | #StepItUppic.twitter.com/P2v9cwNl4K
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2026
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson was hot as well and scored 23 points to lead Sweden.
France outscored Sweden 20-5 to close out the game and win 84-69. That has France 7-1 in World Cup qualifying and in first place in Group L, while Sweden falls to 4-4.