Impossible Olympic photo of tallest vs shortest basketballers creates a frenzy
Throughout the Paris Olympics fans have been treated to some outrageous images, but none quite like these basketball photos.
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The non-basketball world has been introduced to a French giant at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Victor Wembanyama took the NBA by storm during his rookie season and now he’s melting minds at the Games.
While his on-court play is a sight to behold, it’s his gigantic frame that is leaving fans watching on in disbelief.
The 20-year-old star clocks in at an outrageous 224cm tall and as you’d expect, he towers over his opponents on the hardwood.
On Wednesday (AEST) however the French star caused a frenzy online when he lined up against Japan.
Images of Wembanyama standing alongside Japan’s Yuki Togashi quickly went viral over their absurd nature.
For context, Wembanyama is the tallest player at the Olympics while Togashi is the shortest at 163cm … and it showed.
Wembanyama proved to be the difference in the contest as he tallied 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds as France secured the 94-90 win in overtime.
The contest wasn’t without controversy however as fans claimed the contest had been rigged to ensure France didn’t lose in front of their home crowd.
A foul call with only 10 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter with France down by four points drew the ire of fans the world over.
Matthew Strazel hit an off-balance three while drawing a foul, only for replays to show he wasn’t touched by his opponent.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons wrote on X: “Ha ha France is getting the craziest home-cooking basketball officiating in recent memory.”
Sports writer Michael Griffith wrote: “One of the worst calls I’ve ever seen in basketball just screwed Japan out of beating France.”
Despite the conspiracy theorists being in full force, France marched on and kept their perfect record intact.
Wembanyama and Team France will battle Germany in their final group-stage game on Saturday (AEST).
The two top of the group teams will more likely than not be advancing into the knockout stages unless Japan or Brazil produce miracle win and leapfrog them on the standings.
The group stage matches will wrap up on Sunday (AEST) with Serbia vs South Sudan the last clash before the knockout stages commence.
Originally published as Impossible Olympic photo of tallest vs shortest basketballers creates a frenzy
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