He’s back in town. And no one can ignore it. Since the start of the week, Victor Wembanyama has been in the news in Paris. Each of his outings is followed by a forest of cameras. On Monday, Nanterre had already been able to take the temperature for the first Spurs training in Paris. Chesnay, where Wemby inaugurated two pitches on Tuesday, rode the wave. And this Wednesday, it was Bercy which had new confirmation: Wemby-mania is indeed setting the Paris region and France on fire.
For this crazy week with two matches in Paris for the San Antonio Spurs against the Pacers – Thursday and Saturday – Victor Wembanyama can measure the crazy excitement on his person. All eyes are on him. And he is at the heart of all the attention. And so a sweet madness takes hold of Paris.
There, it’s a bit special with Wemby
Wemby was there just a few months ago. During the Paris Olympic Games, he led the Blues to an Olympic vice-champion place. But this is different. He returns in his NBA star costume. And the power of the big American league is felt. Each step of the former Nanterre prodigy is scripted to highlight him and create a buzz. And if Paris has already hosted NBA matches in recent years, we can clearly feel the difference.
However, there was Charlotte Hornets – Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, Chicago Bulls – Detroit Pistons in 2023 and Cleveland Cavaliers – Brooklyn Nets in 2024. But this time, it’s another dimension. “There, it’s a bit special with Wemby“, recognized Pascal Siakam, one of the stars of the Pacers. On Wednesday, the press room was crowded from 10 a.m., two hours before the Spurs training opened to the press.
-If it’s an NBA game, he’s the main attraction
More than 200 journalists from all media, both general and sports, were present, waiting for long minutes in the aisles for the right to enter the room to watch the last 20 minutes of the Texans’ training before being able to ask questions , which mainly filmed on Wemby, obviously. And they came from all over Europe.
Despite the presence of Chris Paul at his side at the Spurs or even Tyrese Haliburton at the Pacers, the foreign media are there in particular in large numbers for one reason: Victor Wembanyama. “Definitely, it’s the first name that comes to mind when you think of this event. Our audience is curious to see a style of player that has never existed before. It’s a phenomenon. If it’s an NBA game, he’s the main attraction. Without him, it wouldn’t have the same impact.”confirms Flavio Tranquillo, journalist at Sky Italy.
Thursday for the first match of this NBA week and while the Wemby Spurs will go to the Parc des Princes this Wednesday for the PSG clash against Manchester City in the Champions League – the opportunity to create another nice buzz and a great association for the NBA – the enthusiasm should be felt for what promises to be a match apart from the NBA in Paris. “I feel a different energy. But I’m waiting to see what it will be like on match days,” is already salivating at Wembanyama, who should not be disappointed.
