Spurs CEO RC Buford said 8 to 10 players will be in Paris next week to train with Victor Wembanyama and credited Wembanyama's leadership for the trip.
Eight to 10 San Antonio Spurs players will be in Paris next week to train with Victor Wembanyama, chief executive officer RC Buford said in an interview published Saturday by the French outlet TrashTalk.
"Our players are going to be here together next week doing some work in Paris," Buford said. "They're coming over to see Victor, about 8 or 10."
Buford was asked about Wembanyama's leadership later in the same interview. He came back to the trip.
"He sets a great example in his approach, in the way he takes care of his body, in the way he connects with his family and with his teammates," Buford said. "There are not many times where 10 guys from a team are flying halfway around the world to go work out together. And that's done because of the respect and admiration and joy that Victor brings."
Buford did not name the players making the trip.
Wembanyama has started his offseason by training with teammates in Texas. De'Aaron Fox hosted his teammates at his home in Katy, and there are photos showing Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Tobias Harris. On July 27 and July 28 the Spurs posted clips of Wembanyama working on post moves against Barnes and talking through footwork with Harris. Wembanyama also put in another round of work with Hakeem Olajuwon.
The Paris trip comes in the middle of a full month for Wembanyama. He is staging his chess and basketball tournament in Nanterre for a second year, then joining the French national team for four games. France's first game against Serbia is in Belgrade on Aug. 20, and the tournament concludes in Sweden on Aug. 30.
Player-organized offseason events are now a common sight across the league, with one of the biggest this summer hosted by a Western Conference rival. Luka Dončić will host the full Lakers team in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August. Dončić is sponsoring his teammates' travel arrangements, and the invitation includes Los Angeles' two-way players.
San Antonio's roster has turned over less than most. Harris signed a two-year, $31 million contract after two seasons in Detroit. Julian Champagnie re-signed for three years and $45 million. The Spurs used the 20th pick on Jayden Quaintance and moved up in the second round for Tarris Reed Jr.
Wembanyama is beginning his fourth season and will turn 23 in January. He was unanimously chosen as Defensive Player of the Year last season and placed third in MVP voting. San Antonio finished with a 62-20 record and lost the NBA Finals to New York in five games.
The extension he agreed to on July 10 lasts five years and is worth $252 million. Chairman Peter J. Holt, Buford, general manager Brian Wright, and coach Mitch Johnson also attended the meeting in France.
The Spurs last played in Paris in January 2025, when they met Indiana twice at Accor Arena. They return during the coming regular season. San Antonio plays New Orleans at Accor Arena on Jan. 14 and meets the Pelicans again in Manchester on Jan. 17.
