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

San Antonio – 06/03/2026: The NBA Finals are just around the corner: the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks. In the spotlight is Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old Frenchman who has led the Spurs to the final for the first time since 2014 in his third NBA season. In the Western Conference Finals, Wembanyama impressed with an average of 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, being unanimously named MVP of the series.

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

The New York Knicks, for their part, 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 in the Knicks’ offense. The former Paris Basketball and Ratiopharm Ulm player is averaging 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds per game this season.

Dadiet, also 20, joined the Knicks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, at pick 25. At 2.06 meters and with experience at Ratiopharm Ulm, he brings fresh 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 matchup between the Spurs and Knicks promises to be an exciting duel, where besides the sports rivalry, cultural connections between the teams will also play a role.

The Finals begin Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The Spurs have a slight advantage with home-court factor, while the Knicks rely on their impressive streak of eleven consecutive playoff wins.

In San Antonio, preparations are underway: the city is festively decorated and the “Spurs Jackals,” a passionate group of fans, have announced their support for the team. Their passion and energy could have a decisive impact on the final.

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