Wembanyama Seeks Respite from Media Spotlight After Summer League Debut and Spears Incident

Created: JANUARY 27, 2025

Following his second Summer League game, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama expressed his desire to step away from the media spotlight for the next few months. This comes after a Summer League debut seemingly overshadowed by an incident involving his security detail and pop star Britney Spears.

Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft, scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Despite the strong performance, he expressed disappointment in the outcome and his overall contribution. He acknowledged the need for improvement, citing the whirlwind of activities surrounding the draft and media attention as contributing factors to his performance.

Victor Wembanyama during a Summer League game

Wembanyama admitted that basketball had taken a backseat amidst the media frenzy, stating that less than half of his schedule in the past month was dedicated to the sport. He expressed relief that this period is over and his focus can return to training and improving his game. He recognized this experience as common for top draft picks and believes it will ultimately benefit him in the long run.

The media attention surrounding Wembanyama's draft selection intensified after an incident in Las Vegas where a member of his security team was accused of striking Britney Spears. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department concluded their investigation without filing charges, stating the security guard did not use unlawful force. Security footage reportedly showed the guard pushing Spears' hand away, inadvertently causing her to hit herself in the face, although Spears maintains she was backhanded.

Victor Wembanyama during a Summer League game

This incident appears to have solidified Wembanyama's desire for a break from the public eye. He plans to discuss his upcoming schedule with the Spurs, including vacation time, training locations, and a return to focused basketball activities. He anticipates the next few months will be transformative and intends to minimize media interactions during this period.

Britney Spears attends the announcement of her new residency, "Britney: Domination," at Park MGM on Oct. 18, 2018, in Las Vegas.

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