Victor Wembanyama’s former team, Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 is forced to close its doors amid financial crisis. Le Parisien, a French newspaper, reported that Metropolitans 92 informed French basketball authorities they could no longer compete due to financial difficulties.
Wembanyama played for the team during the 2022-2023 season before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the number one overall pick.
Specific reasons for the bankruptcy haven’t been made public. Financial difficulties are likely a combination of factors and could include things like low attendance, lack of sponsorship deals, or debt.
Victor Wembanyama’s Time With Metropolitans 92
Victor Wembanyama’s 2022-2023 season with Metropolitans 92 was a breakout year that secured his status as the top NBA draft prospect.
Wembanyama achieved a rare feat by winning both the LNB Pro A Most Valuable Player and Best Defender awards. He led the league in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Wembanyama was a two-time LNB All-Star, even winning the All-Star Game MVP award once. While Metropolitans 92 fell short in the French League Finals, Wembanyama’s performances were a highlight. The team also gained international attention due to Wembanyama’s presence.
Metropolitans 92 History
The Metropolitans 92, though a young club by European standards, boasts an interesting history tied to the Parisian basketball scene. The story starts in 2007 with the merging of two Parisian clubs: Paris Basket Racing (from Paris) and Levallois Sporting Club Basket (from Levallois-Perret, a commune bordering Paris). This merger aimed to create a stronger team representing the Paris metropolitan area. The newly formed club adopted the name Paris-Levallois Basket.
The early years saw Paris-Levallois establish themselves in the LNB Pro A, the top tier of French basketball. The team steadily improved, reaching the playoffs on several occasions. Their biggest achievement came in the 2012-2013 season, where they clinched two titles:
-French Federation Cup: A knockout tournament contested by French professional teams.
-Match des Champions (French Supercup): A single-game competition between the LNB Pro A champions and the French Cup winners.
The following years saw Paris-Levallois maintain their presence in the LNB Pro A but haven’t been able to replicate their 2013 success in major trophies. In 2020, the club underwent a rebranding, changing their name to Metropolitans 92. “92” refers to the Hauts-de-Seine department, where Levallois-Perret is located.
While they haven’t achieved great success in European competitions like the EuroLeague, they have participated in tournaments like the EuroCup Basketball.
