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Speaking on the BasketNews Film Session, Tony Parker was presented with a hypothetical scenario: If he had to win the 2027 NBA Finals and could select any European player as his franchise cornerstone, who would he choose? With several European superstars currently dominating the NBA, including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Parker did not hesitate to pick his fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama. "I will go with Wemby. He's the most complete player. He plays at both ends of the court, and he's young. He's going to keep improving," Parker said.
Asked what the Spurs star would bring to his playbook tactically, Parker emphasized Wembanyama's basketball intelligence and leadership approach. "The thing I like is that he challenges his coaches and his teammates, and he wants to lead by example, too," Parker explained. "And so, as a coach, that's what you want. You want a player who's going to translate your philosophy the best way you can. And I think he's the type of player who plays with his brain, and wants to understand why we're doing stuff. I always loved playing like that because I'm a point guard. So I love to understand everything and know why we're doing this."
Olgun Uluc: Also in my story: Basketball Australia is already in early talks on a home exhibition series ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Discussions are in the early stages; Greece, France, Spain, and Germany are among the potential opponents being targeted, sources told ESPN.
Maxime Aubin: I asked Victor Wembanyama if he still had a bit of his head in France with the current news, and if that could have had an impact on his poor game on Tuesday: "I still manage to focus anyway, but yes, my head is... (he stops and thinks) It's true that a lot is happening in our lives. But that doesn't explain my poor performances at all."
Sky News has learnt that executives from clubs understood to include AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will hold talks with counterparts from the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday. The football club chiefs will be in London as a result of the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in the capital on Monday evening, although it was unclear whether they would meet NBA executives in person or remotely.
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Their discussions with the NBA come amid efforts to finalise the sale of a dozen franchises for a new European basketball league slated to launch late next year. A further four teams are expected to participate annually on a merit-related basis.
NBA Communications: The NBA today announced that opening-night rosters for the 2026-27 season feature 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries across six continents. All 30 teams feature at least one international player. 🇫🇷 - 17 players 🇨🇦 - 16 players 🇦🇺 - 9 players Dallas, Miami and Washington lead the league with 7 international players each. More: pr.nba.com/international-
Tony Parker got the better of his younger brother TJ as ASVEL defeated Roanne 96-77 in Round 3 of the Betclic Elite, avenging its French SuperCup semifinal loss. Roanne had spoiled Tony’s first official game as ASVEL head coach, but the latest meeting between the brothers went his way. Tremont Waters led ASVEL with 18 points, six assists and two steals.
Tony Parker: "But if I have one regret in my career, it's that Joakim didn't play for the French national team more often, because unfortunately he had injuries that kept us from becoming Olympic champions. Because I'm convinced that if Jo hadn't gotten injured in 2012, I think we could have won a gold medal."
Amid widespread protests in France, Victor Wembanyama is showing his support. On Wednesday, Wembanyama posted a series of photos to his Instagram from his summer in France. A commenter invited him to join the student protests happening back home, to which he responded, “I would love to.” After the San Antonio Spurs’ preseason opener Thursday, Wembanyama was asked about his interest in the protests that reached an estimated 71,500 people across France, according to the French interior ministry. “(I have) a lot of interest. I meant it,” Wembanyama said. “I was in that position not so long ago.”
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In September, protests spread when students at schools began blockading their campuses to call attention to the poor facilities and staffing. In light of similar actions spreading to high schools across France, labor unions led rallies in more than 40 cities Tuesday. “I’ve had the chance to escape this system, escape this trouble,” Wembanyama said. “But it’s a chance, it’s luck. So I want to show my support.”
In an announcement on Saturday, the City of Paris reaffirmed its total political commitment to the EuroLeague club, Paris Basketball. The local municipal government has directly strengthened the city’s case for hosting a future franchise in NBA Europe. Authorities highlighted the club’s quick rise, strong public support, and economic impact.
After last offseason's viral nearly two-week training session with Shaolin monks at the historic Shaolin Temple in China, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama once again embraced unconventional training challenges this summer by working out with athletes outside of basketball. Clips of Wemby working out with France’s Provence Rugby team have gone viral recently. Wembanyama spent days training with the rugby club to master new movement patterns and build physical strength.
Maxime Aubin: When asked about the next French presidential election, as a "young, Black man with significant soft power in his hands," Victor Wembanyama: 1-"It gives me a lot of things to manage and understand. Being young and Black isn't something that affects me every day. It's impactful (for many), but not in my sphere of privileged social circles." 2-"Will I have a role to play in the future at that level? Yes, I'm sure of it. But today, I'm first building myself as a person, and I consider myself lucky not to be too caught up in those responsibilities."