"It's our alien!": Victor Wembanyama excites San Antonio ahead of the NBA Finals

San Antonio – 06/03/2026: The NBA Finals are approaching: the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks. At the center of attention is Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old Frenchman who led the Spurs to the finals for the first time since 2014 in his third NBA season. During the Western Conference Finals, Wembanyama impressed by averaging 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game and was unanimously named MVP of the series.

In San Antonio, Wembanyama has already become an icon. Fans celebrate him passionately and have nicknamed him “our alien” – a recognition of his exceptional abilities on the court. His presence and talent are considered key to the Spurs’ success, and many expect him to become the team’s future leader.

The New York Knicks, meanwhile, rely on two other French talents: Mohamed Diawara and Pacôme Dadiet. Diawara, 20 years old, was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft and has established himself on the Knicks roster. A former player of Paris Basketball and Ratiopharm Ulm, he averages 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds per game this season.

Dadiet, also 20 years old, joined the Knicks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, at the 25th position. At 2.06 meters tall and with experience at Ratiopharm Ulm, he brings new energy to the Knicks team, although his current stats are 0.4 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.

These French players mark the 2026 NBA Finals as a symbol of the rise of French basketball on the international stage. The confrontation between the Spurs and the Knicks promises to be an exciting duel, where beyond the sports rivalry, cultural ties between the teams will also play a role.

The Finals begin Wednesday evening at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The Spurs have home-court advantage, while the Knicks can count on their impressive streak of eleven consecutive playoff victories.

In San Antonio, preparations are in full swing: the city is decorated for the celebration, and the “Spurs Jackals,” an engaged supporters group, have announced their support for the team. Their passion and energy could have a decisive influence during the finals.

The 2026 NBA Finals promise not only a high-level basketball spectacle but also an example of the growing influence of French players in the NBA – an event of great sporting and cultural value.