Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama stand out as the biggest snubs after the NBA All-Star Game

It didn’t stop there. When he walked out to center court, took a microphone and said “bonjour” to the crowd pregame, another 30 seconds of cheering exploded inside the Accor Arena in Paris. The young French star returned home with his NBA team — for a two-game set between the Spurs and Pacers — and was greeted with a hero’s welcome.

Victor Wembanyama regularly tries to make special memories for young fans after games. Just the other day, the Spurs star and Chris Paul went out of their way to give their jerseys to J.J. Redick’s kids after they lost their belongings in the devastating wildfires.

Wembanyama unveiled a gift of sorts to his hometown and the next generation on Tuesday, a pair of outdoor courts — one for 5-on-5 play, the other for 3-on-3 play — that were built to the specifications that he wanted and sketched out himself.

Growing up in the quiet Paris suburb of Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, Victor Wembanyama, who played both soccer and basketball, used to dream about having access to a basketball court where he could practice and hoop to his heart’s delight. Now, that dream has come true—not just for him, but for the young kids and athletes growing up in his hometown.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama unveiled a pair of outdoor courts on Tuesday in his hometown of Le Chesnay, France.

Everyone stops but Ja. He made up his mind that he was dunking on Big Vic right there, no matter what happens next. Meanwhile, Wemby isn’t even fully in position. He slows on his rotation because of the whistle and then gives a half-hearted contest once Morant is in the air and jumping into his chest.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama wears a t-shirt in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. as he warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points in his first NBA game on his native French soil, Devin Vassell added 25 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 140-110.

In 1957, toy company Wham-O released the first batch of a new toy that it named the Frisbee. Its inventor, Walter “Fred” Morrison, initially said the new name was “terrible” — he preferred “ pluto platters ” — but as the royalties started pouring in, he warmed to it. [WJZY]

Here's how the French international superstar Victor Wembanyama is impacting the San Antonio Spurs — and the city beyond.