French center Victor Wembanyama is expected to attend Thursday’s game between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in Paris, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
The contest will be the NBA’s second regular-season game in Paris and the first since Charlotte and Milwaukee played in 2020. The Bulls played two preseason games in Paris in 1997, while it will be the first game for the Pistons in the French capital.
Wembanyama is among those expected to attend the game, though the 7-foot-4 center could experience some difficulties getting to Accor Arena. The city is reportedly dealing with a transportation strike that could affect travel plans for Wembanyama.
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, who was born in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, is the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. He has dazzled at every level to this point and performed to expectations in October in front of scouts and executives against the G League Ignite.
The game could give Wembanyama a potential look at his new team. The Pistons are 12-25 this season and are the third-worst team in the league at the moment. Of course, the three teams at the bottom of the standings each have the highest odds (14%) of winning the top pick.
Wembanyama was named an All-Star this season with Metropolitans 92 after averaging 22.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.2 assists. He recently threw down the game-winning dunk over ASVEL Basket, his former team in France.
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