Tony Parker doesn’t have to choose sides anymore. The retired French star gets to watch Victor Wembanyama carry both the San Antonio Spurs and the French national team, and he sounds thrilled about it.
Wembanyama has quickly become the face of both programs, and Parker sees that clearly. After once being the French player most closely tied to the NBA spotlight himself, Parker now watches another Frenchman step into that role with even more force.
That’s part of what makes this moment so meaningful for Parker. He spent his prime as a centerpiece for the Spurs and France, with Boris Diaw among the other talented French players around him. Now he’s seeing the next generation take over, and Wembanyama has been the standout name since the 2020s began.
When Wembanyama arrived in the NBA in 2023, he immediately drew attention across the basketball world. Since then, his rise has only sharpened the sense that he is on the edge of something bigger, both in San Antonio and on the international stage. He’s also become a player who could matter in the larger fight against Team USA’s grip on international play.
Parker made his feelings plain in an interview with Bea Fabregas: "I’m super happy he’s a Spur, super happy he’s playing for the French national team, and I feel like, you know, he’s maybe the best player in the NBA right now. And I hope he brings a lot of championships for the Spurs and France," Parker said about cheering for Wembanyama in an interview with Bea Fabregas.
For Wembanyama, that backing carries weight. Parker is still one of the biggest names in French basketball history, even if Wembanyama may eventually pass him. For now, though, Parker’s own résumé still stands out, thanks to his Finals MVP and his long run as France’s top star.
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