Chandler Parsons was highly impressed by a 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama setting the tone for the 2-26 All-Star Game
While some Team World stars like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić drew criticism for approaching the 2026 All-Star Game with a relaxed mindset, Victor Wembanyama made it clear he would not.
The 7-foot-4 French phenom said beforehand that he planned to take the exhibition seriously — and he delivered.
From the opening possession, when he rose for a dunk that immediately set the tone, to jumping passing lanes and contesting shots on the perimeter, Wembanyama played with an intensity rarely seen in recent All-Star settings. In a game often criticized for minimal defense and highlight-chasing possessions, he competed.
That effort didn’t go unnoticed.
Former Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons praised Wembanyama on the “Run It Back” show, suggesting that if the San Antonio Spurs star continues bringing that same fire to future All-Star weekends, he could help restore a level of pride and competitiveness that many believe has faded.
Despite Team World missing stars such as Giannis Antetokoúnmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to injury, Wembanyama refused to coast. Across two games, he totaled 33 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Team World ultimately lost both matchups, but Wembanyama’s motor stood out in a setting where defensive intensity is often optional.
For Parsons, that willingness to compete — especially in just Wembanyama’s second All-Star appearance — was significant. He emphasized that tone-setting moments matter in exhibitions, particularly when a young star embraces responsibility rather than deferring.
“I definitely think that he took it serious. You could tell that from the first play of the game, he dunks in. He steals Cade Cunningham and just does one of the craziest dunks I’ve ever seen. That definitely kinda set the tempo in a situation like this,” Parsons said.
“He said he was gonna take it seriously, maybe he stayed up an extra hour. But I do think more guys like him that will at least have some pride, have some respect for the game, and play as hard as he did will bring the best out of everybody else.”
The broader implication is straightforward: tone is contagious.
At 22, Wembanyama already appears comfortable carrying symbolic weight for the league’s next generation. He did not simply produce highlights — he competed. That distinction matters in a showcase event that has struggled to balance entertainment with legitimacy.
If more stars follow his lead, the All-Star Game’s competitive edge could gradually return. And if Wembanyama continues pairing elite production with visible effort on the league’s biggest stages, the conversation about him becoming the NBA’s next standard-bearer will only intensify.
In a weekend built around spectacle, Victor Wembanyama chose intensity. That choice may ultimately matter more than the final score.