San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama showed his support for the French player Marine Johannes as she prepares for the crucial Game 3 of the WNBA finals. The New York Liberty are currently feeling the pressure as they are 0-2 against the Las Vegas Aces, which makes Wembanyama’s gesture even more notable.
In the upcoming game on Sunday, Liberty has no room for mistakes. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu are the center of attention, especially after their recent disappointing performances. Marine Johannes will also be in the spotlight as she has the potential to come up and play big. She surprised the audiences in Game 1 and earned praise from NBA star LeBron James.
JoJo ❤️ Wemby pic.twitter.com/7KhJQGHJBl
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 14, 2023
Wembanyama boldly showed his support by wearing a Marine Johannes shirt to the Spurs’ preseason game against the Heat. This gesture was in response to Johannes’s earlier move when she wore Wembanyama’s Spurs jersey before Game 1 of the Finals. Such exchanges between the two highlight their support for one another.
Additionally, there are rumors that NBA legend Tony Parker might make an appearance in Game 3, as Johannes mentioned in a recent conversation. If true, it shows the strong French camaraderie supporting Johannes and the Liberty. The big question here is – Will this overwhelming support help Johannes and her team to secure a win at 9 p.m. on Sunday? Only time will tell.
Victor Wembanyama won France’s Player of the Year, beating Marine Johannes
Victor Wembanyama’s rise in the basketball world is extraordinary. Before even playing his first regular season NBA match, the 19-year-old talent has won the prestigious Alain Gilles Trophy in his home country.
Wembanyama is the first French player to be drafted as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. Wembanyama winning the Best French Basketball Player of the Year is proof of his outstanding skills on the court. The winner is chosen by a jury, which includes members from the French Basketball Federation (FFBB), local media representatives, and a public vote.
Victor Wembanyama was named the best French basketball player, winning the Alain Gilles Trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wi5gHLZvzX
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) October 14, 2023
The award has a graded scoring system, with 10 points awarded for first place, 7 for second, and 5 for third. Wembanyama scored an incredible 178 points, while New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes was second with 79 points However, Johannes won the public vote, securing 57% of the votes.
Last season, Wembanyama led Metropolitans 92 to the French League (LNB) finals, where he bagged all five of the league’s individual awards. With such an impressive past history, basketball enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly waiting for his NBA debut.