What has Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama ‘frustrated’ about FIBA qualifiers despite France’s success

The San Antonio Spurs have had a relatively quiet offseason, running it back with the same core of players who made it to the NBA Finals last year, in addition to Tobias Harris. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama has been competing for his native France at the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Europe, putting up some impressive performances in the process.

Now, Wemby has revealed how strange it is to no longer be on the French national team year-round.

“A lot of frustration. I didn’t expect it to be this much, but seeing these guys again, whom I’ve known for so long, feels so good. It’s going to feel strange not being with them anymore,” he said, per L’Equipe, via Hoopshype.

However, Spurs fans won’t have to worry about the star’s mind being elsewhere during the upcoming season.

“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m still very excited to be back in San Antonio and to get back to work. There’s nowhere else like it to work,” he added.

Wembanyama staked his claim as the best basketball player on the planet during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder last year, with the Spurs knocking off the defending champs in seven games.

However, he largely struggled during his first NBA Finals appearance vs the New York Knicks, with his late-game execution in particular repeatedly coming up short against a veteran opponent.

Still, there’s little doubt that Wembanyama will progress even further in his upcoming fourth NBA season, which will be filled with title aspirations for San Antonio.

The Spurs are set to kick off their new season on October 20 vs the Thunder.