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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

During the off-season, we might come across some of the wildest NBA combinations. Players from different franchises join hands for pickup games in the summer. However, Spurs sophomore star Victor Wembanyama doesn’t seem to be a fan of the culture. Despite the 7 ‘4 star massive surge in performance, Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce dropped controversial advice. Guess what? The legendary duo instantly got called out for their remarks.

The French big is a special player. To be honest, the basketball world hasn’t witnessed such a talent. We usually see a player with an imposing 7 ‘4 tall frame near the rim, muscling their way to collect a rebound. But in the case of Wemby, he is more of a point guard than a traditional center. Given his size, the star moves around a lot on the court, ultimately risking injuries.

In fact, during his rookie season, Victor Wembanyama suffered ankle-related injuries and Greg Popovich dropped him for several games due to injury management. Ignoring all these implications, Kevin Garnett recently pushed forward a piece of advice to Wemby, saying, “Spend a summer in LA, bro. Go up to UCLA. Cause you know what’s up there? Everything you’re looking for.” The Celts’ legend sitting alongside Paul Pierce advised the youngster to take on the local LA ballers to test himself.

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Above all, Garnett, with an attempt to describe the intensity, added, “It ain’t no referees in there. Ain’t no mom in there. Ain’t no dads. You feel me. It’s you and them other players in there that are hungry and starving.” However, it wasn’t received well by Dusty Garza, a senior writer, as he revealed the actual reason behind Wemby’s decision to head to France in the summer. Garza reposted Garnett’s statement and wrote, “Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce don’t realize Wemby’s mom has been instrumental in his physical development.”

Garza further added, “As a former basketball player and physiotherapist, she helps guide his training, focusing on muscle growth and conditioning— ensuring his body stays strong and injury-free.” Garnett and Pierce truly remained ignorant about the process that made Wemby the prodigal son.

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Victor Wembanyama – One-of-a-kind

The tall lanky baller took the NBA world by storm last season when he made his debut for the Spurs. Arriving early, the rising superstar had a tight schedule before the fresh kick-started. Wemby linked up with Spurs legends like Tony Parker and others before suiting up with the black uniform.

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Did Garnett and Pierce overlook the secret weapon behind Wembanyama's success—his basketball-savvy mom?

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Moreover, Greg Popovich laid out a strict bedtime routine for the star throughout the regular. While it didn’t make much impact on the team, it helped him win the ROTY Award. In this season, Wemby couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. Chris Paul joined the Spurs and the team looks like they were aiming for yet another dynasty run.

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Halfway through the season, the Spurs finally look like they will secure a spot in the postseason. It’s undoubtedly a team effort but at the same time, let’s not forget the influence that Wemby’s mother, Elodie de Fautereau, had on him. The 6 ‘2 basketball-playing mom was a national player and coach herself. It wouldn’t be surprising to know if the star reveals that he had listened to basketball plays as bedtime stories.

Nevertheless, the bottom line is every player will have their own way of preparing. The only that matters is how much impact he brings on the court. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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Did Garnett and Pierce overlook the secret weapon behind Wembanyama's success—his basketball-savvy mom?

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