Predicted No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama stars in the show at NBA Paris as he watches the Pistons and Bulls collide on the sidelines… starring model Naomi Campbell, Pharrell Williams, Lakers legend Magic Johnson and F1 star Charles Leclerc, who are also present
Predicted No. 1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, led a star-studded group of courtside celebrities in the NBA’s annual trip to Paris.
French phenom Wembanyama is the unanimous prognosis for picking the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, and he got an early look at the Detroit Pistons, one of the teams that will have some of the best lottery odds to land him.
Wembanyama was pressured for photos ahead of the tip, but he wasn’t alone as Lakers icon Magic Johnson and singer Pharrell Williams also took their places on the pitch.
Victor Wembanyama (left), the likely No. 1 draft pick for 2023, stood on the sidelines at NBA Paris
The French phenomenon was a man in demand as he was bullied over pictures before the tip
Lakers legend Magic Johnson (left) and singer Pharrell Williams (right) were also in attendance
Williams and Johnson watched the Pistons and Bulls play a solid first half
Formula 1 trio Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were present at the Pistons’ duel with the Chicago Bulls, along with rapper Lil Baby and TikTok star Khaby Lame.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell also looked stunning, sporting giant sunglasses and a red and white Letterman jacket for the occasion as he watched on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona and Spain soccer player Gerard Pique, who was in the headlines this week after his ex-wife, singer Shakira, released a diss track about him, has put the drama behind him to face the to enjoy game.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell also looked stunning as she sat on the sidelines
The Formula 1 trio Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc (LR) were present.
Former soccer player Gerard Pique put his personal life drama behind to enjoy the game
Singer Aya Nakamura was also photographed glamorously attending the NBA in the French capital.
But none were as popular as 7ft 4 Wembanyama, and a queue formed to take a photo with the 19-year-old.
French NBA legend Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion, addressed the crowd alongside Pistons star Killian Hayes and Bulls center Nikola Vucevic before the game.
It had been a hectic week for the Pistons as they tried to have their entire roster in place.
Pistons rookie Jalen Duren made sure he didn’t miss the annual European trip — though it wasn’t easy for the center.
Rapper Lil Baby was also spotted in the Pistons’ match-up against the Bulls
Singer Aya Nakamura (left) dressed up for the NBA’s annual trip to games in Europe
Former Bulls star Joakim Noah (centre) sat next to Tony Parker (second right)
Injured Bulls guard Lonzo Ball was dressed in navy to watch his teammates in action in Paris
The ailing Detroit Pistons took on the Chicago Bulls at the Accor Arena in Paris
Duren was a notable absentee from a photo taken by Detroit’s squad in front of the Eiffel Tower earlier this week, and Track and field athlete James L. Edwards III reported that he was actually stuck in the US after losing his passport.
Detroit bosses worked around the clock to get him to France in time for Thursday’s showdown with the Bulls, which took place at the Accor Arena.
He ended up on the bench after missing a few games with an ankle problem that has not yet been fully resolved.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gave French NBA fans a boost by announcing that the league will once again return to Paris in 2024.
Paris took responsibility for hosting the NBA Europe game from London in XXXX and after speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron, Silver expects to be back in 12 months.
“We told him (Emmanuel Macron) yesterday that apart from the Olympics (Paris 2024) we will most likely return to Paris next year to play a regular league game,” Silver said.