Frances Wembanyama and Gobert embracing seclusion of starting basketball tourney outside of Paris [Video]

PARIS – France’s hopes of leaving the Paris Olympics with a men’s basketball gold medal primarily rest on the shoulders of its tallest players.

Those two 7-footers –- NBA stars Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama –- said Wednesday that they believe there’s still time for the host nation to find itself after losing its final four exhibition games heading into the Olympic tournament.

“There are good lessons we’re taking from our preparation because we all know it’s better to get into trouble before, and to be ready after,” the 20-year-old Wembanyama said during the virtual news conference. “We’re on the right track because the energy in our group as a whole — staff and players — is incredible.”

Wembanyama, who will be making his Olympic debut, said his conviction is rooted in what he’s seen in the aftermath of France’s string of exhibition losses to Germany, Serbia, Canada and Australia. The setbacks followed decisive wins over Turkey and Australia to open …