Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes ingratiated themselves in French rugby side “Provence Rugby” this week, participating in their preseason training. No media coverage was permitted, but the pair also said to have lived with the team, sharing in their daily lives [article in French]
link to article (in French)
“Victor Wembanyama was in Aix-en-Provence this week to participate in several rugby training sessions alongside the professional group”
“…the San Antonio Spurs pivot was grafted for a few days in the preparation of Provence Rugby, before the start of the Pro D2 season. To everyone’s surprise, the Frenchman participated in several workshops during foot crampons training sessions, but also lived fully alongside the Provencal group, sharing the daily life of the players. It should be noted that he was not the only NBA player present since his Spurs teammate Harrison Barnes also trained during this more than special week”
“Moreover, no image of the balloon in hand phenomenon was captured and the club, contacted by us, refrained from any comment on this subject. In view of the superstar’s popularity, it seems obvious that this media restraint results from a desire to avoid the mounds around the training center, so that Wembanyama can work in peace”
“The one who is said to change the face of basketball had declared, a few months ago at ESPN’s microphone, that he wanted to practice other sports, including rugby, in order to expand his sports range: “There is one thing I wanted to do but that I could not do last year, it is to train with a rugby team. They are the same movement patterns but that my body is not used to doing. And I will be able to transpose it to what I do in basketball. These are very interesting things.”