Victor Wembanyama became the first French NBA player to be named an All-Star starter, and he thinks the San Antonio Spurs' team success is resulting in him getting "respect."
For the second time in his career, Victor Wembanyama will represent the San Antonio Spurs in the All-Star Game. Unlike last season, he will be a starter, becoming the first French player to ever crack the starting five.
Neither Tony Parker nor Rudy Gobert was able to avoid coming off the bench, so Wembanyama is quickly cementing his place as the best French player ever.
Wembanyama was tied with Anthony Edwards in the player and coach's vote, although his better fan-voting numbers pushed him in over his Western Conference rival.
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Wembanyama's Spurs are yet to find any playoff success, although this season is expected to change that trend. The Spurs boast the second-best record in the West and are easily the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama thinks that has something to do with him edging out Edwards.
"Am I getting respect? Am I getting more and more respect?" he asked. "I guess so, yeah, because we're getting more and more respect as a team. We're viewed as a dangerous team to play against now. It's just natural."
Wembanyama has long made it clear that team success is his top priority, although he knew not to downplay making the All-Star Game. After deep vein thrombosis ended his season and threatened his career during last year's festivities, a triumphant return to All-Star Weekend would mean a lot to him.
"I was glad," he added. "I was happy. I wasn't sure my name was going to be up there, so it's great, man. I mean, it's just another step, and I was really happy to learn that I'm the first French guy to get that, so I'm proud of this."
Wembanyama will share the floor with Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeious-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic for the Western Conference, and go up against the East's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Cade Cunningham.
Brown, Maxey, and Cunningham join Wembanyama as this year's first-time starters.