“But yes, it’s different from last time. We know it’s a different fanbase. Fans who wait all their lives, all year, for the chance to see an NBA game. So it’s different.”
The games in Paris — the second takes place on Saturday — have attracted spectators from 53 countries, reflecting the interest in Wembanyama, who is averaging 24.4 points and 10.8 rebounds a game this season.
Chris Paul, the 12-time All-Star guard recruited this season to bolster a Spurs team packed with young, raw talent, said playing with Wembanyana had been a revelation.
“Vic is so unique. Everybody expects him to dunk because he’s so tall, but that is not him by any means,” the 39-year-old said.
“He can dribble, he can pass, he can shoot, he does a little bit of everything. That’s why it has been so fun to play with him.”
As a rookie, Wembanyama generated 1.3 billion views on NBA social media channels, becoming the fastest player ever to one billion views.
He is currently the third most-viewed NBA player globally on social media with 735 million views, trailing only LeBron James and Steph Curry.
After the game in Paris on Thursday, he will learn whether he has landed a place in the starting five for this year’s the All-Star game. If he doesn’t make the cut, he is almost guaranteed a spot on the bench.
© 2025 AFP
