Inside The Spurs

The San Antonio Minute: What Makes Victor Wembanyama's France Return So Special?

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are set to play two games in Paris next January, marking the rising sophomore's big return. But what makes the trip so unique?

Matt Guzman

Oct 4, 2022; Henderson, NV, USA; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on during the game against the NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center.
Oct 4, 2022; Henderson, NV, USA; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on during the game against the NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center. / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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Bringing another set of teams to Paris to play NBA basketball abroad was something the NBA has wanted to on a yearly basis since beginning the games in 2020.

So far, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls are among teams to have gotten the chance to play in France, but next up on the docket is the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers — two teams with promising futures.

Ideally, adding an extra game between the two schools would serve as a way for fans to watch and experience both good baskeball and, more specifically, Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 rising NBA sophomore will be making his return to his home country for the first time wearing a Spurs jersey.

He's been there plenty of times, though. Besides the jersey, there aren't many firsts. So, what makes the Spurs' trip to Paris so unique?

Join Spurs on SI for "The San Antonio Minute" and find out.

READ MORE: Behind Wembanyama's American Education, Return to France

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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