Victor Wembanyama, Spurs vs. Haliburton, Pacers Set for Paris on 2024-25 NBA Schedule

Victor Wembanyama is coming home.

The Rookie of the Year favorite will bring his San Antonio Spurs to their native France next season for a two-game matchup against the Indiana Pacers in Paris, the NBA announced Monday.

“Playing in Paris has been an incredible experience for our organization in the past and we are thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of The NBA Paris Games 2025,” said Spurs CEO RC Buford. “Thanks to our deep international history, we are fortunate to have Spurs fans in France, across Europe and around the world. We are excited to continue to honor that legacy by purposefully connecting and engaging with our fans in France on and off the court. “

“The Pacers enjoy tremendous support from fans globally, and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the NBA’s efforts to continue bringing the game to new generations of fans all around the world,” said Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard.

The games will take place Jan. 23 and 25. It will mark the first time the NBA has played two games in Paris in the same season.

Wembanyama was born in Le Chesnay, about 15 miles outside of Paris, and began his basketball career for the youth club of Nanterre 92 at age 10. He made his professional debut for Nanterre 92 in 2019 before playing for ASVEL and Metropolitans 92 in France.

The Spurs drafted Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and he’s already established himself as one of the greatest French players to ever play in the NBA. The 7-footer averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year in his rookie season.

The Spurs have a rich history of French players on their roster. Tony Parker became the first French player to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame after spending nearly his entire career in San Antonio, and the Spurs have also employed Boris Diaw, Ian Mahinmi and Nando de Colo in the past.

Mahinmi also spent time with the Pacers.

Indiana will be making its first trip to France, while the Spurs will be playing in their fourth and fifth games in the country.