Wembanyama Wednesday: Vic is expected to attend Bulls-Pistons NBA game in Paris
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.