‘It was incredible’: Victor Wembanyama, Bilal Coulibaly react to first NBA matchup

Childhood friends and teammates back in France, Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly faced each other in the NBA for the first time.

Growing up in France, Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly played basketball together and were even teammates at points in their careers.

On Saturday, they faced each other for the first time in the NBA.

Wembanyama produced 24 points, eight rebounds, six blocked shots and four assists to lead the visiting San Antonio Spurs to the 131-127 victory over the Washington Wizards. Coulibaly had 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.

“It was incredible,” Wembanyama said. “I’m so proud of him. I’ve known him for so long. It always makes me feel good to see people that I love make their dreams come true. It is happening for him, and it will happen for more young French basketball prospects. I’m very grateful for this.”

Wembanyama and Coulibaly played last season together with Metropolitans 92 of the French League. With so much attention on Wembanyama, teams had the opportunity to closely watch Coulibaly, resulting in the two becoming lottery picks in the NBA draft.

Coulibaly was drafted by the Wizards just six selections after Wembanyama. They were among four French prospects selected last June, joining Rayan Rupert (Portland) and Sidy Cissoko (San Antonio). It marked the fourth time that has happened in one draft.

“(We are) happy for each other,” Coulibaly said. “We grew up together playing together since we were like 12 and now we’re playing in the league against each other. I loved the moment.”

The two players shared the court for about 10 minutes of game time, though they weren’t matched up with each other very often given their position and size differences (7 feet, 4 inches for Wembanyama, compared to 6 feet, 6 inches for Coulibaly).

However, Coulibaly’s lone block of the game came against Wembanyama.

Coulibaly met him late in the third quarter after Wembanyama received the ball deep in the paint. Wembanyama immediately went up for the acrobatic layup attempt, and Coulibaly made an athletic move to get up and swat the shot away.

Said Coulibaly after getting his first-ever block on his friend: “I wanted to dunk on him, but it was a little too much, I would say. I had the block, so I’m happy with it.”

Wembanyama and Coulibaly will not have to wait very long to see each other again on the court. The Spurs host the Wizards in their second and final matchup of the season on Jan. 28, a contest Coulibaly is patiently waiting for.

“I can’t wait to win that next game,” Coulibaly said.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1366]