NBA ALL-STAR RISING STARS POSTGAME

February 16, 2024

Victor Wembanyama

Team Pau

Press Conference

Team Detlef 41, Team Pau 36

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: It was kind of weird. At the same time, I want to win. I hate losing. At the same time, I have so much going on that I’m happy that I knocked one thing off the list for this weekend. Yeah, mixed feelings.

Q. Along those lines, it’s a very unusual day for you. This was not a traditional game day for you. How did you enjoy this first full day of your All-Star life?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: It didn’t feel like a game day. I enjoyed the first part, the Tech Summit. That was great. Great experience. New for me. The rest was as usual: appearances, interviews. It’s part of the job. And the game was fun, playing against those guys who are very promising.

Q. This season there has been a crazy output in scoring. Offensive production has been at an all-time high. In general, looking toward the next evolution of the game, what do you think it is?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: It’s hard to say. We can really see the shifts the past years, decades, in the game. I don’t know. I think physical bigs are going to be more and more dominant in the game.

Q. You spoke of your experience off the court. Having to do media, I know you’re used to it. What do you think of all the events happening this weekend in general?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: It’s a great energy. The organization is pretty good. I don’t have much to say about the interviews; it’s like usual. But the energy definitely is something, the dedication of the people who work here. They’re doing very good.

Q. You’ve been going since you got here. Is your head spinning? Are you starting to be tiring?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I was tired even before I started. I can’t wait until it’s over because I need those couple of days of rest to get back to be good during the season. My head is fine, though. It’s not spinning. I set up the schedule with my crew before it started, validated everything. Once something is done, I forget it and on to the next thing. So I’m good.

Q. You recently had two games against the Orlando Magic. I wanted to get your thoughts on Paolo Banchero. What do you feel like his ceiling is, and just how excited are you to see him grow as a player?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I’m surprised nobody asked me that question before. I’m kind of happy someone finally did, because I think he is one of the most underrated players and No. 1 picks in the past years. I don’t even understand why. But he is someone that I think has a bright fiture.

Q. You were wearing the Aliens earlier today. What has that process been like with Nike? What has it been like having – it’s not your own shoe yet, but one you helped design, especially with your own logo on the back?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: It’s great. It’s a new experience for both them and I. We’re all learning in this. It’s really the first time in my life I’ve been asked anything about shoes, really, because I didn’t have a choice most of my life. So this is great. But I’m still learning a lot about my feet and my own body.

Q. Is participating in every event – 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, Skills Challenge – something you’d be interested in doing in your career?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Yeah, it’s definitely on my bucket list.