USA Basketball Chairman Challenges Victor Wembanyama Ahead of LA Olympics

The road to Olympic gold may not look as comfortable for Team USA in 2028 as it once did. While the Americans will enter the Los Angeles Games as defending champions after reclaiming gold in Paris, there is already growing awareness inside USA Basketball that the next global challenge could be unlike any they have faced before.

In a recent interview with sports journalist Malika Andrews, Team USA basketball chairman and retired U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey admitted that one international superstar, in particular, has already become a major concern heading into the Los Angeles Olympics. Even so, Dempsey welcomed the challenge that awaits Team USA in 2028.

"Victor Wembanyama, first of all, he's a wonderful young man," Dempsey said. "But now I'm going to tell you, he's my personal nightmare as the chairman of USA basketball. ... The competition is getting better and better. ... But that's what I love about it, actually."

"Personally, I said he's my personal nightmare," Dempsey added. "That's true. I'm sure that our head coach from the men's team, Erik Spoelstra, is probably feeling exactly that while watching him grow and develop. But bring it on! Let's see who can last for those 40 minutes of FIBA basketball."

Dempsey’s concern is not without reason. Standing at 7-foot-4 with elite shot-blocking instincts and guard-like mobility, Wembanyama has already transformed into one of basketball’s most disruptive two-way players.

Back in the 2024 Summer Olympics, Team USA beat France, 98-87, for the gold medal. Wembanyama was already a part of France and didn't make it easy for LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and company.

The French phenom helped push Team USA in the gold medal game in Paris, finishing with 26 points as France briefly threatened to spoil the Americans’ title run before Stephen Curry closed the game late.

On one of the biggest stages of his career, Wemby put up 26 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 57.8% from the field in the gold medal game. His efficient performance at the time was a clear sign that the towering Frenchman was born for the bright lights of basketball.

What makes the challenge even more alarming for USA Basketball is that Wembanyama may only be scratching the surface by 2028. The San Antonio Spurs star has already emerged as one of the NBA’s premier defenders, winning Defensive Player of the Year honors while continuing to evolve offensively.

France’s rise internationally also adds another layer to Dempsey’s comments. The French national team has now reached back-to-back Olympic finals against Team USA, first in Tokyo and again in Paris, and its young core continues to improve around Wembanyama heading into Los Angeles.

Victor Wembanyama's NBA Rise Since Losing to Team USA in 2024

During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wembanyama was still technically a rookie in the NBA. He had just won the Rookie of the Year award and was already named to the All-Defensive First Team.

While the young center was upset to lose to Team USA in the gold medal game, Wemby would move on to become an even stronger player in the NBA. Looking at his numbers in the 2024-25 season, Wemby notched his first All-Star selection. He also averaged a career-high in blocks, swatting 3.8 shots per game.

Then came this season, when Wembanyama elevated himself into one of the NBA’s most dominant forces. He guided the San Antonio Spurs to their first playoff appearance since 2019 and, at the time of writing, has them battling in the Western Conference Finals for the franchise’s first trip that deep into the postseason since 2017.

Before the playoffs even began, Wembanyama had already put together the most decorated season of his young career. The 7-foot-4 superstar earned his second All-Star selection, captured Defensive Player of the Year honors in unanimous fashion, secured another All-Defensive First Team nod, and finished third in MVP voting — all while continuing to establish himself as the league’s most feared defensive presence in just his third NBA season.

Having that in mind, it's understandable why Team USA basketball chairman Martin Dempsey expressed his fear of going up against Wemby in the 2028 Summer Olympics. If the towering Frenchman is already displaying these types of performances at 22 years old, what more in two years when he's only about to enter his prime?