France, March 3 -- The 22-year-old played for the club between the ages of 10 and 17 before leaving in June 2021 to join French top-flight side ASVEL in Lyon in south-eastern France.

He left a year later for Metropolitans 92 just outside Paris. He said he was drawn to the club because head coach Vincent Collet was known for giving young players a chance.

The choice paid off. In June 2023, Wembanyama was drafted by NBA Western Conference team San Antonio Spurs as their top young recruit for the 2023-2024 season.

At the end of that campaign, he was named 2024NBA Rookie of the Year. He became the first Frenchman to win the award since it was created in 1953 and only the sixth player to receive it by unanimous vote.

Wembanyama opts out of...