![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Victor-Wembanyama-Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Victor-Wembanyama-Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
The San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama as the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. One month in, he has settled into the city and the team. But he’s also quickly caught up to the controversial life of an NBA star. The player dominated the news cycle last week by falling into an avoidable situation with the iconic Britney Spears. If that wasn’t enough, Shaq has now entered the conversation following Wemby’s Summer League debut.
The Frenchman received a response on his gameplay from the 4-time NBA champion. The response featured a brutal initiation for the 7’4” rookie who played his first game in the Spurs jersey yesterday.
Shaquille O’Neal shares Wembanyama’s first poster
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Los Angeles Lakers legend took to Instagram to share a reel on his story. It was a moment from Victor Wembanyama’s first game in the NBA’s Summer League. In the video, Charlotte Hornets’ Kai Jones was attempting a thunderous field goal. Jones was successful in getting the ball in the hoop, despite Wembanyama’s efforts to stop him. The video was captioned: “KAI JONES OVER WEMBY”.
View this post on Instagram
The Spurs player’s debut was not as bad as it looks here though.
He was able to record three blocks in just the first half. Furthermore, he was even able to block a 3-point attempt from the second-overall pick, Brandon Miller. Wemby ended the game with a dominating 5 blocks, accompanied by 9 points, 3 assists and 8 rebounds.
In spite of this, it was the infamous dunk moment that Shaquille O’Neal chose to show to his 31.3 Million followers. We do not know whether Shaq’s Remarks and last week’s controversy are related to each other. Regardless, Wemby is understanding the spotlight that comes with being an NBA star.
Last week, he became entangled in some messy business with the iconic Britney Spears.
Britney Spears also caught a stray
In the build-up to the Summer League, Wembanyama was dining at a restaurant in the ARIA Hotel in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Spears, who was dining there herself along with three other people, saw the 19-year-old player and approached him to say hello.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-06-23T004511Z_1925912152_MT1USATODAY20933793_RTRMADP_3_NBA-NBA-DRAFT.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 22, 2023; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Victor Wembanyama reacts after being selected first by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
As she was approaching him, Damian Smith, San Antonio Spurs‘ Director of Team Security, backhanded the singer, nearly knocking her down and causing her glasses to fall off her face. Soon after, Britney took to Instagram to share exactly what happened with her 42.1 Million followers.
According to Britney’s post, she witnessed “the player smile and laugh” as Smith pushed her. Wembanyama claimed that he wasn’t told, until after a few hours, that Spears was the person who had approached him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: “He Passed That Sunday”: Shaquille O’Neal 66YO Buddy Reminisces the “Surreal” Moment When the World Lost NBA Legend, Kobe Bryant
Spears filed a police report a few hours after the incident occurred. Even though the Las Vegas Police Department didn’t file any charges, Spears still demanded a public apology from the player and his security. The blame seems to have diverted away from the player after Spears’ husband issued a statement holding the security as being solely responsible.