Before Victor Wembanyama was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker had his spot as the greatest French basketball player ever solidified. Now, that's in jeopardy, and he couldn't be happier.
The NBA has been graced by plenty of elite French players, but two stand head and shoulders above the rest. Tony Parker, winner of four NBA titles, leads the way, slightly ahead of four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
It's only a matter of time before Victor Wembanyama passes them both up.
Last season, Wemby finished third in the MVP race, higher than Parker or Gobert ever finished. While he hasn't put together a complete career like they both have, ot's safe to say that he's already the most talented basketball player to ever come out of France. Wemby finished third in the MVP
Parker is happy to admit that Wembanytama is just getting started.
Tony Parker Makes Victor Wembanyama Prediction
Anyone close to the Spurs, or anyone who follows the NBA, for that matter, is eager to declare Wemby the future and present of the league. Spurs legends like Manu Ginobili, Gregg Popovich, and David Robinson have all raved about him.
Coming from Parker, though, it just means a bit more.
Not only does Parker want to see Wemby take the Spurs to new heights, but he wants Wembanyama to do what he never could: win gold for the national team.
"It makes me very proud when I see French basketball and where we are," Tony Parker told Bea Fabregas. "When I first started and now where we are, being favorites, starting competition and going all the way to the final in the Olympics in 2024. Yeah, I feel very proud. And I feel like Wemby can take it even higher, you know, to a higher level, you know, to try to win gold medals on a consistent basis and all that kind of stuff. So now I'm super happy, super happy he's a Spur, super happy he is playing for the French national team. And I feel like, you know, he's maybe like maybe the best player in the NBA right now. And I hope he brings a lot of championships, you know, for the Spurs in France."
France has never won Olympic gold or a FIBA World Cup. The closest Parker ever came was first-round losses to Spain in the knockout stages of the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Wembanyama has already won silver, and France should be a favorite at the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
