The 22-year-old Frenchman’s comments come as Minneapolis has emerged as a flashpoint in the national immigration and enforcement debate.
SAN ANTONIO — Giving some of the most direct comments of any NBA player in recent days regarding Minneapolis protests and the ongoing federal immigration crackdown there, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said Tuesday he was “horrified” that “some people make it sound like it’s acceptable, (that) the murder of civilians is acceptable.”
Wembanyama was speaking with news media during team practice. The 22-year-old Frenchman’s comments come as Minneapolis has emerged as a flashpoint in the national immigration and enforcement debate following the federal law enforcement killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good this month.
Pretti’s death on Saturday sparked renewed frustration and public protesting in Minneapolis, as well as elsewhere in the U.S. The NBA postponed a Minnesota Timberwolves game set to tip off that night, and the NBA’s players union shared a statement in which representatives said, “NBA players can no longer remain silent.”
“We must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the union’s statement went on to say. “The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
Wembanyama on Tuesday, initially asked by reporters about the situation in Minneapolis, appeared to take the union’s sentiments to heart. At the same time, he started his reflections by “PR has tried, but I’m not gonna sit here and give some politically correct (answer),” appearing to refer to the Spurs’ communications team.
“I read the news and I’m sometimes asking very deep questions about my own life,” Wembanyama went on to say. “But, you know, I’m conscious also that saying everything that’s on my mind would have a cost that’s too great for me right now. I’d rather not get into too many details.”
The Spurs are no stranger to politically outspoken stars: Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich made a habit of it in the later chapters of his coaching career, speaking out on matters of social justice while decrying President Donald Trump.
Wembanyama’s status as an international star and ascendant face of the NBA, meanwhile, means any of his comments about Minneapolis is likely to receive national attention—something he was also aware of Tuesday.
“I know I’m a foreigner, you know, I live in this country. And I’m concerned, for sure.”
Asked if his status as a foreigner plays a role in how he wants to comment on the matter, Wembanyama said, “For sure. Yeah. Not getting into too many details, but yes.”
The conversation has also reached San Antonio City Council; a meeting intended to foster public discussion and clarity on local ICE operations last week featured five hours of public comment, the vast majority of whom spoke out against federal immigration enforcement tactics.
The federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota began in early December. As of this week, CBS reports that 3,000 Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) and Customers and Border Protection personnel are in Minneapolis.
There have been widespread protests in Minneapolis for much of the last two months.
“I’m always proud of people speaking their mind, no matter the subject,” Wembanyama said Tuesday, before adding: “Each and every one of us has to decide the price, you know, we’re willing to pay.”