For four days in Paris, it is difficult to miss it. For once, it is not even because of its 2.21 m under the height. Chief darling of the San Antonio Spurs, who play two NBA games against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday 23 and Saturday 25, Victor Wembanyama is the attraction of the moment. The “Wembamania” has taken up the capital since the arrival of the Spurs at the start of the week to reach its zenith in this first match at the Acor Arena de Bercy, Thursday, won (140-110) by Spurs.
As of Sunday, when Wembanyama himself launched a treasure hunt to attend the matches, the wave began to surge. An inauguration, Tuesday, from land to his name at Chesnay-Rocquencourt (Yvelines), his hometown, several training sessions, between Nanterre, his first professional club, and Accor Arena, more than 200 journalists present Wednesday for the court 30 minutes open to the media … unheard of since the return of the NBA to France in 2020.
In Bercy, three hours before the match, all the places of which were sold in 24 hours and in 53 countries around the world according to the boss of the League Adam Silver, the first spectators headed for the room in a fine rain. Not enough to cool Tony and his son Franklin, 8, who come from Australia. For the last day of their trip to Europe, they chose Victor Wembanyama, of which Franklin is a fan. “He is a very good shooter for his size, and I really love how he dunke, at this height”, he explains, shy.
For the occasion, her mother, who paid $ 800 (around 768 euros) by two places, bought her, in front of the enclosure, the jersey of her idol, but she chose to get down to a scarf of the 'opposing team. “It's to tease it” Smiles this basketball fan. The winner is all designated: “Wemby's Spurs!”hastens to answer Franklin.
A little further, French fans appear by clusters from the metro mouth. Four friends in their twenties, two of whom with a Wembanyama jersey, chat before entering the arena. “Weby put 45 tonight!“ Announcement Benjamin. “I see him in triple double me !”adds, next to it, Romain. They enjoyed a little luck in the draw: “I was able to take four places, so I delighted them! “laughs Benjamin, before announcing the price of 185 euros per person. But passion has no price or time: they planned to leave in the region after the match. “There are some who work tomorrow!”, Recalls Benjamin.
-Gaétan and Mélissa paid even more expensive. A birthday present at 350 euros offered in Gaétan, a fan of NBA for six years and now particularly Wembanyama, while his idol LeBron James is close to the exit. “If they gave him the nickname 'the alien', it is because there is a reason. We have never seen young people who had such qualities. It is necessary to hope that the physical will hold and that He's going to plant a big score this evening “, Hope Gaétan.
It was heard. Under the eyes of the legends of the Tony Parker Spurs, Manu Ginobili and David Robinson, but also of a bed of stars, from the Ballon d'Or Rodri to the actor Omar Sy, the French responded: 30 points, 11 rebounds, Six against, and insolent actions of ease. The phenomenon massacred Indiana, disillusioned and led by 25 points after three quarters, to the delight of an Accor Arena full to crack (15,935 spectators).
“This match, I classify it in one of those who are most important to me. And in terms of pure performance, it's in the top 5.”
Victor Wembanyamaat a press conference
The Wembanyama jersey, already the 5th most sold, has traveled all ranks. “”I promise you maximum happiness and show, thank you Paris! “he had launched the microphone before the match. The public had only for his foal: songs of “MVP” when it was released, Hourras at each arabesque. “It's crazy to have an audience like that was present, it was beautiful. It was a perfect evening. Because there is victory and the way”summed up the French after the meeting.
Even the opposing part was forced to bow. “It was a great atmosphere. I didn't understand what Victor said before the match, but it worked, recognized by smiling Rick Carlisle, the Indiana coach. Wemby is unique of a kind, it's breathtaking what he does. ” At the end of the match, James and Melanie, two fifties from San Antonio, fans of the player's early hour, were still amazed. “Everyone saw well? The Alien returned to France!”, Let go the first, which modeled their stay in France to attend the match. No matter how it was definitely impossible to miss it.
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