Welcome to Wembanyama Wednesdays, our new recurring weekly post that will provide you with everything you need to know about Victor Wembanyama, the once-in-a-generation talent coming to an NBA team soon.
The Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons will meet on Thursday for the first NBA game played n Europe since 2020.
The NBA Paris Game 2023 is the second regular-season NBA game ever in Paris. The first was on Jan. 24, 2020, between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Charlotte Hornets. This will be the first time that Pistons guard Killian Hayes will play in front of his grandma since he left France to pursue his basketball dreams.
Also expected in attendance is Victor Wembanyama, the sensational NBA prospect who is expected to hear his name called with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
French star Victor Wembanyama is expected to attend tomorrow's Bulls-Pistons game in Paris, source tells AP.
There is one slight catch: Paris will be dealing with a transportation strike Thursday, part of a planned protest over pension reform, and that may affect plans.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 18, 2023
Wembanyama has a game against Fos Sur Mer in Southern France on Wednesday evening. But he will reportedly be in the crowd at the Accor Arena on Thursday.
France has had more players drafted into the NBA than any other country outside North America and has been the most-represented European country in the NBA for each of the last 16 seasons.
Wembanyama looks to become the first No. 1 overall pick from Europe since Andrea Bargnani was selected by the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
It is possible, however, that this game might give Wembanyama his first look at his future teammates. Based on current lottery odds, the Pistons are one of the favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
This would be an ideal situation for all parties, especially considering the Pistons have a loaded backcourt with Cade Cunningham (who is out for the remainder of the season due to an injury) and Jaden Ivey but a relatively thin rotation in the frontcourt.
The game, which will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories, will air live in France on beIN SPORTS, NBA League Pass, and in the U.S. on NBA TV, Bally Sports DET, and NBC Sports Chicago.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
The latest jaw-dropping highlight from Wembanyama:
Although the stats haven’t been as crazy for Wembanyama of late, Boulogne-Levallois keeps winning and their record remains among the best in the LNB Pro A.
Wembanyama recently had a massive putback to seal the deal in a win over ASVEL, where he played during his 2021-22 campaign:
Victor Wembanyama game-winning putback dunk with 3.5 seconds to take down his former team ASVEL 84-83. pic.twitter.com/rFNppFug2R
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 9, 2023
SCHEDULE/GAME LOG
UPCOMING GAMES
You can stream these games, for free, on the NBA’s global app
Jan. 18, 2:00 PM ET (@ Fos Sur Mer)
Jan. 27, 2:00 PM ET (vs. Chorale Roanne Basket)
Feb. 4, 2:00 PM ET (@ ADA Blois Basket)
RECENT GAMES
Dec. 17 (vs. Paris Basketball)
11 pts (4-11 FG, 1-5 3P, 2-2 FT), 5 reb, 0 ast, 2 stl, 6 blk
Jan. 15 (vs. JDA Dijon Basket)
16 pts (5-7 FG, 3-3 3P, 3-4 FT, 9 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 3 blk
Jan. 9 (vs. ASVEL)
15 pts (4-12 FG, 0-4 3P, 7-7 FT, 9 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 5 blk
Dec. 26 (vs. Strasbourg IG)
26 pts (6-18 FG, 2-9 3P, 12-12 FT, 18 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk
Dec. 23 (vs. Cholet Basket)
24 pts (8-21 FG, 4-8 3P, 4-4 FT, 8 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
BRICK FOR VIC
Houston Rockets – 14.0 percent
Detroit Pistons – 13.8 percent
San Antonio Spurs – 13.1 percent
Charlotte Hornets – 13.0 percent
Orlando Magic – 10.7 percent
Washington Wizards – 7.7 percent
Oklahoma City Thunder – 6.9 percent
Utah Jazz (and via MIN) – 4.3 percent
Chicago Bulls – 3.4 percent
Toronto Raptors – 3.1 percent
New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) – 2.6 percent
Indiana Pacers – 2.1 percent
Portland Trail Blazers – 1.2 percent
RECOMMENDED READING
The best stories that you can read about Wembanyama right now:
- New Orleans Pelicans, owed a first-round pick from the Lakers, sent team officials overseas to scout Victor Wembanyama (via ESPN):
“The Pelicans had personnel in France,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said. “They spent some time talking to Victor’s people. In fact, Victor’s people – I don’t know how often the Pelicans have been there, but they sought it out. “Victor has made it very clear, on the record as well, that there is no wrong team for him. He is not – I think his exact quote was, ‘There is no wrong team.’ He is absolutely presenting the front that no matter where it is, he feels like he’s going to be a good fit there.”
- Sam Vecenie notes the “potential weaknesses” for Wembanyama (via The Athletic):
“In terms of potential weaknesses, the occasional scout has pointed to his passing and ability to make reads on the move, as well as the consistency of his shot. But I’ve yet to talk to one who doesn’t see these skills as likely to be improved as he ages. As long as Wembanyama stays healthy long term — something he’s done so far this season after a bit of a history of picking up injuries here and there — Wembanyama is a franchise-altering talent whose acquisition would completely change the fortunes of whichever team acquires him.”
- Wembanyama explains why he rejected an offer from FC Barcelona (Basket News):
“Wembanyama was offered to stay in Barcelona, but he decided to return to France and continue his development in his home country. After four years, Wembanyama revealed that the Catalan coaches didn’t dare to tell him what he was doing wrong at that time. That was the primary reason he chose France over Spain. “This is one of the reasons, but there were others. I like to progress, and I need to challenge myself, so yes, I like to be told things clearly, even if it can be unpleasant to hear,” he told Le Parisien.”
