Why Is Russia So Big 2024-07-04 Why Is Russia So Big - Last update images today Why Is Russia So Big Ashcraft's Stare-down Of Yanks Sets 'tone' For Reds PARIS -- Victor Wembanyama stole the show with spectacular one-handed dunks as France opened preparations for its men's basketball gold medal bid at the Paris Olympics. In a promising sign of things to come, the NBA Rookie of the Year was all smiles after powerful dunks with both hands in a 96-46 rout of Turkey on Wednesday night. He looked slick as he scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed six rebounds in front of a sold-out crowd of around 5,500 in Rouen. It was the first of six warmup matches for France heading into the July 26-Aug. 11 Games. "Victor played a 'Wemby game.' He was imposing in defense and varied things in attack. It's something we've never really known before in the France team," captain Nicolas Batum said. "It's a great asset for us, one we will be able to use in many situations." The 20-year-old San Antonio Spurs star combined well with veteran Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in their first outing together for France. The 32-year-old Gobert was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time, with Wembanyama second in the voting. "There's still work to be done," Batum said, looking ahead to the Olympics. "But when you have two greats [Wembanyama and Gobert], it helps a lot." There was also some impressive defense from Washington Wizards rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly. France lost 87-82 to the United States in the gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics, but hopes are high that coach Vincent Collet's side can win gold at home. France is considered among the strongest teams alongside the U.S, Canada, Serbia and world champion Germany. Last week, Wembanyama was asked about the prospect of another France-U.S. final, against the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry. "I can't wait to face them. It will be a very interesting matchup," Wembanyama said in Paris. "As a basketball player, it's also a dream to play against Team USA and even against all those players, all those legends." France's first Group B opponent at the Olympics will be the winner of the last qualifying tournament later this week. It then plays Japan and Germany in the 12-team field, held in the northern city of Lille. French basketball is enjoying immense popularity on the back of Wembanyama's meteoric rise and the emergence of new talents. This year's top two NBA draft picks are French -- Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks) and Alexandre Sarr (Wizards) -- with Tidjane Salaun drafted No. 6 by the Charlotte Hornets. France joined the United States as the only countries with three players drafted in the top 10 picks of an NBA draft. Pacome Dadiet (New York Knicks) and Melvin Ajinca (Dallas Mavericks) made it five Frenchmen selected overall. Image 7 E1704117505189 1393343100000 Ukraine What Will It Be On Elections In Russia In 2023 2024 Db8acf88 8b4f 4b1c Bf9a 1e71d4eee94b Pyatykhatky And Robotyne Battle Map Draft January 20%2C 2024 6G6UJE5EZ5IU5M3M3F24N7PH4Q 177252603 1697866532 497 Llll Map Of Russia IMG 2072 1024x1024 67663 87200e5b167d3cc06ee14981d2003273 1223RussiaRussiabudgetfederaldeencespendingbnRUB2023RIDDLE TASS31912184 Maxresdefault Maxresdefault Maxresdefault Maxresdefault 221216 99 919974 Dpai 2880x1920 Maxresdefault 9643742569 Ab7c54807a O 000022 1705132824 155224 Big Maxresdefault Tass 1691073800283279873528 12 0 546 1020 Crop 1691073835849353137615 Maxresdefault 1100x619 Cmsv2 40791d0c 2ee0 533a Bcdc 5a9414b7de3e 6883440 1024x576 Everything You Need To Know About Russias 2024 Presidential Election Russias 2024 Elections 20231208190237 Day One Of Russia S 2024 Election Is Already Leavi Day One Of Russia S 2024 Election Is Already Leavi D1C185C140D26149ACD5E3703CDD7F34.webp 1705037617 Russian Elections 2024 What Do You Think Hires 795044 82242853 Hqdefault Maxresdefault 759357 ?1om4e4 Di8bnszvxrz4tc78jbeq