The 21-year-old French prodigy was not included in the starting list for the 2025 All Star Game on February 16 in San Francisco.
After Tony Parker, Joakim Noah and Rudy Gobert, it’s Victor Wembanyama’s turn? Not yet. The list of starters for the next All Star Game, on February 16 in San Francisco, was revealed this Thursday, a few hours after the demonstration of the “Wemby” Spurs against Indiana (140-110), at the Accor Arena. List in which the 21-year-old French prodigy does not appear. Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game since the start of the season, his second in the NBA. Despite clear progress, San Antonio only has a record of 20 wins and 22 losses. Good for 12th place in the West standings. Above all, the Olympic vice-champion had to deal with competition from three monsters in the “frontcourt” category (wingers, strong wingers and pivots) in the West, with Nikola Jokic (Denver), LeBron James (LA Lakers) and Kevin Durant (Phoenix), the winners.
«That would be amazing but I don't think about that at all. There are games to focus on. It is always the fruit of collective results. I would be very happy if that were to happen.», Said Victor Wembanyama on Thursday, in Bercy. It will be for later. In fact, happiness will probably arrive next Thursday, when the list of replacements is announced. There, it will be up to the coaches to vote. And we can't imagine that they will forget the giant (2.24m) from Chesnay… If so, Victor Wembanyama would become the fourth French player invited to the all-star game after “TP” (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014), Noah (2013 and 2014) and Gobert (2020, 2021 and 2022). Wembanyama should also participate in the Rising Stars (February 14), the match which brings together the best young first and second years in the NBA as well as elements playing in the G-League. Busy weekend ahead.
-Also read
Wembanyama after his success in Paris: “It’s a perfect evening, the victory and the manner”
New format
The starters for the All Star Game are chosen by a combination of votes from the public (50%), players (25%) and journalists (25%). In the East, we find Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland), Jalen Brunson (New York), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Jayson Tatum (Boston) and Karl Anthony Towns (New York). In the West, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) and Steph Curry (Golden State) will therefore accompany LeBron James (LA Lakers), Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Nikola Jokic (Denver). Remember that the NBA innovated this year, just to make the All Star Game a little more competitive. The 24 All Stars will be divided into three teams by the consultants of TNTCharles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, during a Draft scheduled for February 6. They will take part in a four-team mini-tournament. The first to 40 points wins. Who to complete the picture? The team that won the Rising Stars. Good idea? Come to the Chase Center to tell.
