NBA: “My team is PSG,” says Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama doesn't just love basketball. The 19-year-old giant (2.24 m) is also a football fan, it's no secret. This is also the case for his teammate in San Antonio Jeremy Sochan. Before facing Rudy Gobert's Timberwolves this night (2 a.m.) at the Frost Bank Center, "Wemby" was asked about his favorite football club and his relationship with Sochan, a claimed Arsenal fan. “We talk about football from time to time, my team is PSG, of course,” replied the native of Chesnay (78), trained in Nanterre and passed through Boulogne-Levallois last season, before heading off to NBA. “That was probably the first one to welcome me to Spurs. Before I was even drafted actually. I played against him a long time ago. We've known each other for a long time. We get along well. But it’s a shame that he’s an Arsenal supporter (smile),” the Frenchman laughed.

The first French player chosen No. 1 in the NBA Draft, Victor Wembanayama had already had the opportunity to talk about his passion for football and his interest in Paris Saint-Germain in the past. He also made a notable appearance at the Parc des Princes last season, during a Classic against OM. “Now that I play in the Paris region, it’s almost a weekly event to come and see PSG play,” he said, saying he was “a football fan forever. I did it myself a few years ago,” he added, referring to a past as a goalkeeper.

“Wemby” also spoke of Kylian Mbappé, “the player who inspires (him) the most if we talk about football”. And continues: “Inspiration? Yes, for many years. I realize that we have a lot in common. I haven’t met him in person yet but he’s someone I see a lot of myself in.” They have since met. Already that evening, at the Park. Mbappé was even present alongside Wembanyama during the “lottery” which gave the first choice of the Draft to San Antonio, he who had also attended a Mets match at Marcel-Cerdan. To see him in action again, the captain of the French football team will have to cross the Atlantic from now on, or wait until next summer, when the French international (4 selections) will return to the Blues basketball team for the Olympic Games in Paris. Mbappé could also participate.