Victor Wembanyama's security told Britney Spears 'you understand how it is' after the pop star was allegedly slapped while asking for a photograph at a Las Vegas restaurant on Wednesday night.
Spears, 41, is said to have been slapped in the face by one of the teenager's security personnel after approaching the Frenchman. Wembanyama, 19, is in Sin City for Summer League, where he will play for the San Antonio Spurs for the first time since being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick last month.
The most-anticipated NBA rookie since LeBron James is said to be a fan of the Grammy award-winning artist. Therefore, when the popstar spotted the 7ft 4in player at Catch restaurant inside the ARIA Hotel, Spears is said to have sought to mark the moment with a photo.
She reportedly tapped Wembanyama on his back, right shoulder. The claims are that the bodyguard then 'backhanded' Spears, which knocked off her glasses and saw her fall to the floor.
TMZ reports that after returning to her table, where she was having dinner alongside her husband, Sam Asghari, and two others, the security guard approached the table and apologised. "You understand how it is when you're being swarmed by fans," he reportedly said to Spear.
Spears herself was reportedly swarmed by fans when entering the casino earlier in the evening before the incident at around 8:30 pm. The interaction at the table is said to have ended with the singer accepting the apology, with the security also apparently saying that he did not know who she was during the incident.
However, despite the two star's security teams spending time with each other, it was not over. Spears' team then are said to have made a police report alleging battery to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
TMZ claims that the individual named on their report is the director of team security for the Spurs, Damian Smith. They add that the incident is not considered a criminal matter, with it coming in defence of Wembanyama rather than as an attempt to harm Spears.
The Spurs have yet to comment on the incident. Wembanyama should make a much-awaited debut for San Antonio on Friday. After choosing to sit out the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento, the France international is due to feature against the Charlotte Hornets when the Las Vegas Summer League starts tomorrow night.
The Spurs won both games without Wembanyama earlier this week, beating the Hornets 96-77 on Monday before claiming a 109-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday. The talented teenager will now no doubt bolster their squad.
San Antonio also has scheduled games against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons. Those first two offer the tantalising prospect of a Vegas rematch with number three overall pick Scoot Henderson and a reunion with former Metropolitans 92 teammate Bilal Coulibaly.
