There is indeed a Wembanyama effect, at least in the stands: for the first time this season, the approximately 2,800 seats in the Hauts-de-Seine hall, not far from Paris, have all found takers.

On the occasion of the first game of the "Mets" at home since they went to play two games near Las Vegas as part of a (successful) operation intended to show Americans, fans, recruiters and NBA executives, the talent of the big favorite to be the N.1 of the next draft, in June 2023.

Wembanyama also announces the colors to Marcel-Cerdan: as soon as he enters the room, his 2.21 m and 2.43 m wingspan challenge the spectators on a life-size poster: "Measure yourself against Victor Wembanyama" is- he writes for the attention of the applicant, with markers half and three-quarters the size of the player.

Metropolitans 92 player Victor Wembanyama (right) during the Elite match against Blois at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in Levallois-Perret, October 21, 2022 Emmanuel DUNAND AFP

At 85, former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin may have passed his turn, but he attended the game in the front row next to iconic basketball journalist George Eddy.

"Wembyyyyy"

The young Mathis was in the stands, brand new Wembanyama jersey on the back just offered by his uncle.

This one, Sébastien Léger, lives in Lyon but had invitations from an acquaintance, who "told him that Wembanyama was a future star".

So he offered them to his brother and son, who also do not live in the Mets' supposed catchment area: they come from Essonne, 91.

"We came to see it while there is still time, and to see a nugget in real life" explains Sébastien Léger to AFP.

They have for a long time especially been able to admire the defensive qualities of Wembanyama, the most acclaimed at the announcement of the teams and whose three counterattacks in the first period (five in total) triggered the cheers of the room.

Metropolitans 92 player Victor Wembanyama (right) during the Elite match against Blois at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in Levallois-Perret, October 21, 2022 Emmanuel DUNAND AFP

Because in attack, the interior delivered a long shy part, enhanced by a cannonball end to the match.

Including a winning shot scored off balance with a fault obtained, six minutes from the end, reminding, after a period of scarcity, the public and the announcer the good memories of "Wembyyyyy"!

In the end, Wembanyama scored 17 points (at 7/10 including 2/3 at 3 points) in 27 minutes, far from the 35 and 36 units scored against the G-League Ignite which led LeBron James to compare him to an "extra -earthly".

© 2022 AFP