Victor Wembanyama 's second NBA All-Star appearance was always going to be a proud moment for France.
The San Antonio Spurs star has quickly become one of the league's brightest young talents, carrying enormous expectations in just his early seasons.
But during All-Star weekend , it was not only his play that drew attention. A moment during his introduction sparked conversation online.
Even French President Emmanuel Macron decided to weigh in with a joke on social media.
During Wembanyama's All-Star introduction, an NBA graphic displayed a map of France that mistakenly included territory belonging to Belgium and the Netherlands.
The image circulated quickly on social media, with fans pointing out the geographical error.
"I want to reassure our neighbors that we did not provide the map," Macron joked. "On the other hand, Wemby is indeed our French pride!"
The president's comment was clearly playful rather than critical.
Instead, Macron's message underscored just how significant Wembanyama's rise has become back home.
The 20-year-old is now serving as one of France's most recognizable global athletes.
Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
While the social media moment grabbed headlines, Wembanyama backed it up on the court.
He scored 19 points in the round robin matchup between Team World and Team USA Stripes.
He followed that with 14 points in Team World's game against Team USA Stars. In both contests, Wembanyama led his team in scoring.
Even in the exhibition format, he played with intensity and worked to keep the energy high for fans.
The performances reinforced why France views him as a source of national pride and why the NBA continues to spotlight him on their biggest stages.
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