The towel on the shoulders, Victor Wembanyama looked a little more thoughtful than usual in the corridors of the AccorArena this Wednesday morning. “If I look serious, it’s because it’s just after training and I’m tired”proclaims “Wemby” in front of a panel of 250 journalists who have all only had eyes for him since the start of the week.
Before the first of the two confrontations against the Pacers this Thursday (8 p.m. on Canal+ and beIN Sports), the Frenchman, faithful to his habits as a good student in front of the press, took the time to listen to the questions, to answer them wisely but without much enthusiasm or overflowing enthusiasm.
After refusing to give in to the Parisian excitement for his last press briefing in San Antonio at the end of last week, Victor Wembanyama had nevertheless split the armor a few minutes after a first cleaning, Monday afternoon, at the Palais des sports Maurice- Thorez from Nanterre, where he spent hours and hours preparing for the NBA. Qualifying, in passing, this Parisian escapade as “surreal” and saying his pride in seeing “two worlds [Nanterre et les Spurs] meet ».
Victor Wembanyama on all terrains
His schedule is also “surreal”… Since the start of the week, Victor Wembanyama has had a minister's schedule: inauguration of two basketball courts in his native town of Chesnay-Rocquencourt (Yvelines), a Louis Vuitton fashion show – of which he is an ambassador – for “Paris Fashion Week”, a visit to the 8 p.m. news on TF1 then a little trip to the Parc des Princes to see Paris Saint-Germain, his favorite club, win against Manchester City (4-2), in an important Champions League match, Wednesday evening… This Thursday morning, it was on France Inter that we could hear it.
With an army of press officers from Spurs and his agency (Comsport) around him, “Wemby” makes non-basketball meetings and media requests at a frantic pace. Far from Texas and San Antonio, where the Spurs try hard to hide him and time his slightest appearance in front of the press.
“More and more in competition mode”
On tour in Paris, the French star of Spurs, “more and more in competition mode”wants above all to remain at the center of the game. “It’s very important to perform well in France but like in all matches, I have a responsibility towards my teammates and the coaches”he insists, emphasizing the “incredible context” in which he is preparing to play with Spurs in Paris. If he “wait to see what it will be like on match days”Victor Wembanyama “feels a different energy” in the capital. Almost six months after his silver medal at the Olympic Games, the former Nanterre 92 player has the opportunity to shine and gain more light after having been in the shadow of judoka Teddy Riner and swimmer Léon Marchand this summer.
Like a good veteran, Chris Paul tried as best he could to relieve the pressure. “Once the jump ball is done, it remains a simple basketball game. Usually, we travel from NBA city to NBA city and we don't encounter this kind of attention [médiatique] than in the playoffs »underlines “CP3”, who, for the first time in his career, will play an NBA match abroad.
The Spurs, attractive in the first part of the season, have lost their enthusiasm since the start of 2025 and remain with six defeats in seven games. Winning these two matches at Bercy would allow the Spurs, currently 12th in the West with 19 wins and 22 defeats, to get back into the race for play-in in a conference that remains as strong as ever.
History lesson and gourmet dinner
Beyond basketball and these two relocated matches, Victor Wembanyama pays particular attention to ensuring that everyone, from the physiotherapist to the coaches and his teammates, enjoys their week in Paris. May it be a nice interlude – some are walking the streets of the City of Lights for the first time – at the heart of a marathon season, where the frenzied sequence of 82 matches leaves little room for extra-sporting activities.
In the absence of Gregg Popovich, victim of a “mild stroke” at the beginning of November but on the way back, “Wemby” organized a team dinner like “Pop” usually does at the start of the season or during long trips, with his famous “break bread”.
At the request of the Frenchman, only the players were invited to one of the best tables in the capital, The Workshop of Joël Robuchon Étoile on the Champs-Élysées.
“On the menu, lamb chop and quail, shellfish and caviar, as well as passion fruit dessert”, writing The Athletic and the always very knowledgeable, Joe Vardon. “But there was no wine for the table. “Wemby” just turned 21 on January 4 and treats his body like it's the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and isn't a wine connoisseur like his legendary trainer. »
After introducing French gastronomy to Spurs – in addition to a visit to the Louis Vuitton boutique on the Champs-Élysées, Victor Wembanyama played the tourist guide. During the bus ride Tuesday morning between the hotel and the Accor Arena, he explained the history of the Louvre Museum and the reasons for its construction to his teammates. “I really enjoyed this moment but maybe it’s because I’m old”laughs Chris Paul, in his 40th year.
“The way my teammates responded to what I wanted them to find out means everything to me,” says “Wemby.” “It’s the greatest gift they could give me. » Waiting for two victories against the Pacers this week to restart the Spurs season?
At the Accor Arena,
