Wembanyama stars for France; Ukraine’s World Cup hopes end
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
France has already qualified for this summer’s FIBA World Cup. And Victor Wembanyama offered another reminder that his nation is going to be a medal favorite. The 7-foot-3 phenom had 22 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and four steals in leading France past Czech Republic 72-59 on Thursday at Pardubice, Czech Republic, in the next-to-last World Cup qualifying game for both teams. France has already clinched a berth in the World Cup. War-torn Ukraine won’t be there, getting eliminated on Thursday by a loss to Italy.