Victor Wembanyama is looking forward to being part of the French national team for the first time since Paris hosted the 2024 Olympics, according to a Eurohoops report. After missing last summer’s EuroBasket, the Spurs big man will return to international competition with four games next month.

“Coming back here does my heart a lot of good,” Wembanyama said, per the French site BasketUSA. “I don’t miss the NBA at the moment, but I do miss FIBA.”

After playing a pair of exhibition contests against Serbia on August 20 and 23, France will host Slovenia for a World Cup Qualifier on August 27 before traveling to Sweden on August 30. Prior to returning to the court for the first time since San Antonio’s loss in the NBA Finals, Wembanyama will hold his second annual basketball and chess tournament in Nanterre.

“It’s sometimes difficult to maintain those connections with France every day when you spend so many months across the Atlantic,” he said. “But when I come back here, nothing could be easier because these are people I know and trust. Growing up in Nanterre and in France in general, I was surrounded almost exclusively by good people.”

There’s more international news to pass along:

• Hapoel Jerusalem has announced the signing of former NBA guard Shake Milton, who spent last season with Partizan Belgrade, per Eurohoops. Milton played for six teams during his seven years in the NBA and split the 2024/25 season between the Nets and Lakers. “I’m very excited and happy to join Hapoel,” Milton said. “I’ve heard a lot about the club, the amazing fans and the special atmosphere, and I can’t wait for the season to begin. I’m coming with a lot of hunger and passion, ready to fight for every ball, every play and every point to help the club achieve its goals. Let’s do great things together. Yalla Hapoel!”
• French guard Sylvain Francisco, who had until July 30 to exercise an NBA out clause in his contract, talked about his decision to stay in Europe and his recent move from ASVEL Villeurbanne to Panathinaikos, Eurohoops relays. “It feels amazing,” he said. “I’m quite happy to be here and to return to Greece, but also to be at one of the biggest teams in Europe. I just can’t wait to meet the guys and everyone.” Francisco earned All-EuroLeague First Team honors last season.
• Nikola Kusturica, who recently signed with UCLA and is considered to be one of the top prospects in the 2028 draft, got the chance to train with Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Stefan Acevski of Eurohoops. “Thank you for the experience. Big player, even bigger person,” Kusturica wrote on Instagram.