Victor Wembanyama arrived in the capital on Monday January 20 with his San Antonio team, to play two matches against Indiana, this Thursday January 23 and Saturday January 25 at the Accor Hotel Arena in Bercy.
Victor Wembanyama arrives in Paris and with him, the Wembanania that has surrounded him since his first steps as a professional basketball player. From Nanterre to San Antonio via Villeurbanne or Levallois, the French prodigy has shattered the barriers to his popularity.
Today, according to an Odoxa survey carried out for RTL, 56% of French people know Victor Wembanyama whose popularity has gained 20 points in eighteen months, helped by a dantesque final of the Paris Olympic Games against the ogre American.
79% of French people also believe that the interior of the San Antonio Spurs will have a greater career than his illustrious predecessor in the French team and in the Texan franchise, Tony Parker.
Rinse on the parquet
“The way I approach this trip is my way of giving back a little to the French public, trying to please many people who will never have the chance to go to the United States”assured “Wemby”, Monday evening upon his arrival in Paris.
“It’s a source of pride, but also a responsibility. On a sporting level, but also on a level of communication, of the image of Spurs, which has always been conveyed. But the main thing remains sport”continues the French prodigy, aware that this trip represents more than a simple basketball match.
-For five days, Paris will live to the rhythm of the phenomenon. In an organization that only the major American leagues are capable of offering. Because alongside these two exceptional meetings, the NBA has put in place a host of activities for the general public. Opening of a temporary NBA House in the heart of Paris, a major tournament of personalities which will mix shows and basketball (including Teddy Riner on the court and Aya Nakamura as host of the evening), just to fill in between two evenings match…
“There is a real link between France and the NBA. We are also a big market in terms of TV, media exposure, in terms of marketing, t-shirt sales… We are a big market”also explains Jacques Monclar, the TV consultant for BeIN Sports (also read next page).
Fireworks
The previous demonstrations organized by the American League were ultimately only a prelude to what promises to be a real fireworks display. And the love story between Paris and the NBA could even continue as much since 2020, it seems to be gaining more and more strength.
Gone are the days when young Michaël Jordan was relegated to the tiny Geo-André venue, in 1990. From now on, “Wemby” will fill two Bercys and it would certainly have filled many more if that had been possible.
“It's a lot of excitement. It was even a little surreal to see all my teammates in this arena where I spent so much time, smiled the Frenchman on Monday for his first training in the room he made his debut in Nanterre. It's a bit like two worlds colliding. For now, things are going well. In any case, it's really extremely pleasant. There’s emotion.” There will be more all week.
