Basketball: Victor Wembanyama arrives at Bercy as king of the floor and the NBA

Spure against Indiana, but especially Victor Wembanyama. Six months after the unfortunate final of the Olympic Games against Team USA, the French interior from San Antonio returns this Thursday to Bercy as an absolute star, guaranteed to capture all eyes in the match which will pit him against the Pacers.

“We know that we are in Paris: Wemby, the Spurs, everyone is going to be on their side but we are ready”, declared this Wednesday with a smile the interior of the Pacers Pascal Siakam, well aware of the scope of the event.

“There are still some decorations from the Olympics in the corridors, it’s nice to come back here. »

At the edge of the NBA floor, which will host this Thursday the first of the two meetings between San Antonio and Indiana (8:00 p.m.), the crowd of media who came to attend the training session was impressive.

Above all, it was further proof of the enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of the American League in France for the fourth time, and more than anything that of its tricolor prodigy Wembanyama, called to leave his mark on his sport.

“I of course feel a different energy,” admits the person concerned, while the city of Paris has also been living to the rhythm of the NBA for several days. “I'm waiting to see what it will be like around the hall on match days”, where many Basketball fans, including many celebrities, will come and fill the large auditorium on 12^e district of the capital.

Fashion week

Arriving in Paris on Monday, “Wemby” has already had the start of the week at 100 miles an hour. With a first training in Nanterre, a return to his birthplace of Chesnay on Tuesday, or even his presence at the Louis Vuitton fashion show at Fashion Week on the same day.

Expected everywhere, followed by the media around the world, he will undoubtedly be even more so this Thursday, in his element. His last visit to Bercy, for the Olympic Games, led to a bitter end, marked by a defeat (98-87) for the Blues against an American team led by a demented Stephen Curry.

“There are still some decorations (from the Olympics) in the corridors, it’s nice to come back here,” said Wembanyama this Wednesday, still focused a few minutes after training.

Since the Games, “I have proven myself in almost all (areas)”, he had already explained a few days ago. “Especially in knowing myself and my teammates. This is reflected in many sectors but, already, statistically there are progressions, and other statistics which are maintained.”

After a first rookie season finished as the best blocker and with an average of 21.4 points at the heart of a collective which finished at the bottom of the ranking (14^e out of 15 in the West, 22 wins for 60 losses), the No. 1 in the 2023 draft continued to grow.

The All Star Game in the viewfinder

He is now averaging 24.4 points and 4 blocks per game – still the best in this area – and the Spurs are currently 12^eswith 19 victories. In addition, Wembanyama is seeking a place in the very prestigious All Star Game in February.

“We know that he's a really difficult player to cover, he knows how to do everything, so we won't be able to do the job alone, we'll try to do what we can,” continues Siakam, while the Pacers will try to continue after two victories in a row while San Antonio remains on three losses in a row.

And despite “an incredible context”, Victor Wembanyama believes that winning these two matches in France “is important like all matches”. Referring to “his responsibility” to his coaches and teammates, he assures that he is “fully focused on everything tactical”.

And the French public undoubtedly expects to see him make sparks.