(Washington) French basketball prodigy Victor Wembanyama, who has become a star in the United States, announced that he would be the new ambassador of the Louis Vuitton brand, during an interview with the magazine GQ published Tuesday.
The 20-year-old basketball player, No. 1 in the last NBA draft in 2023 and who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, explains that he wanted a “meaningful partnership”.
“For me, it made a lot of sense to partner with LV. You know, French excellence,” explains the new basketball superstar.
Louis Vuitton, which confirmed this partnership on Wednesday, insists on the French origins of the “rising star” of basketball, who began his career at the Nanterre club (Hauts-De-Seine), and on his performances in the French team .
“Like Louis Vuitton himself, the young athlete has paved the way, excelling in a career that is only just beginning,” says the brand, without specifying the amount of the partnership.
Although he is only a rookie, Victor Wembanyama was the second most viewed NBA player on social media in January, behind “King” LeBron James.
The enthusiasm surrounding the phenomenon has not waned despite the more than mixed results of his team this year.
“The presence of “Wemby” helps us increase the popularity of San Antonio around the world,” Javier Gonzalez, communications manager for the 7th City tourism office, said in January.e most populous city in the United States, with 1.4 million inhabitants.
Peter J. Holt, owner of the Spurs franchise, also visited Paris twice in October 2023 and then in January to explore the French market and establish future partnerships, driven by the “unique and special opportunity” to the Wembanyama rocket.