The scene takes place a few moments after the end of the All Star Game, in the privacy of one of the Accor Arena locker rooms.
That of the French camp.
It was immortalized by a photo that the interested parties posted later on their social networks.
We see the Parisian Juhann Bégarin and the interior of the Metropolitans Victor Wembanyama pose with a smile.
Accomplices!
The publication is accompanied by a short text from Bégarin who thanks his partner for having “offered him the MVP trophy”.
“It goes straight to my heart” continues the Parisian.
Number 1 on the back and in the applause meter of the Stars evening in front of 15,833 spectators who had eyes only for him, Victor Wembanyama had been elected best player of the match by a jury.
A logical reward as the prodigy of the Mets had shown himself invaluable during the victory of the French against the selection of the rest of the world (136-128).
Author of gestures of which he alone has the secret, he delighted the public and sounded the revolt of the France team when it was at its worst (26-43, 9th).
With a total of 27 points (but with a poor 12 of 25 shooting including 1 of 9 three-pointers), 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists and 2 blocks, he was a great MVP.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Paris Basketball 🏀 (@parisbasketball)
Yet there was a real debate.
During the post-match press conference, Wemby was also surprised to receive this title.
“I don't really understand since I see that Juhann (
Bégarin
) had 38 evaluation against 32 for me, he has almost no statistics below mine, had entrusted the person concerned.
I doubt why he was not elected MVP, but I think he deserves it, I'm sure even.
The French basketball prodigy understood all too well why he had received this distinction.
The probable future number 1 in the NBA draft was playing his first and last All Star in France on Thursday before a long lease on the other side of the Atlantic, he could not leave without a reward.
With 25 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals, Juhann Bégarin deserved at least as much as Wemby to receive this trophy.
The back was the other great architect of the French victory with his defense and his spectacular dunks.
He showed the public why he was drafted by Boston in 2021 even though he had been left in an incubator in Paris since.
The time of an evening he proved that he could run for a place in the NBA.
Begzz (Bégarin's nickname) also distinguished himself during the dunk competition where he was a magnificent finalist.
On one of his passages, the Parisian proposed an inverted alley-oop sent by… Wembanyama which made the Accor Arena rumble with pleasure.
At the end of the sequence, the two players - who made their debut for the France team together just a few weeks ago during the qualifying matches for the next World Cup - once again displayed a great bond by performing a small celebration probably prepared in advance.
Opponents in the league with their clubs, the two young nuggets of French basketball (18 years old for one, 20 years old for the other) displayed a great connection and an obvious and sincere affinity throughout the evening.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Paris Basketball 🏀 (@parisbasketball)
If Wemby will therefore remain for the history books the MVP of the All Star Game 2022, Bégarin will keep the trophy for him.
"I will be happy when I have a trophy with my team", announced Wembanyama.