Victor Wembanyama Rejoins French National Team; Shake Milton to Hapoel Jerusalem; Sylvain Francisco Picks Panathinaikos; Nikola Kusturica Trains With Antetokounmpo
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PARIS — Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will suit up for France next month, marking his first national-team appearance since the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 7-foot-4 standout missed last summer’s EuroBasket, but he is scheduled for four games: exhibitions against Serbia on August 20 and 23, a home World Cup qualifier versus Slovenia on August 27 and a road matchup in Sweden on August 30.
“Coming back here does my heart a lot of good,” Wembanyama told BasketUSA. “I don’t miss the NBA at the moment, but I do miss FIBA.” Before reporting, he will stage his second annual basketball-and-chess tournament in his hometown of Nanterre.
Milton Signs With Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem landed former NBA guard Shake Milton, who played last season for Partizan Belgrade after seven years in the NBA with six franchises. Milton split the 2024/25 campaign between the Nets and Lakers. “I’m coming with a lot of hunger and passion, ready to fight for every ball,” he said in the club’s announcement.
Francisco Commits to Panathinaikos
French guard Sylvain Francisco declined an NBA out clause that expired July 30 and moved from ASVEL Villeurbanne to Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. “It feels amazing … to be at one of the biggest teams in Europe,” said the 2023/24 All-EuroLeague First Team selection.
Kusturica Works Out With Antetokounmpo
Nikola Kusturica, a top prospect for the 2028 draft and a recent UCLA signee, trained alongside Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Thank you for the experience. Big player, even bigger person,” the 18-year-old posted on Instagram.
Source: Hoops Rumors
