Victor Wembanyama spent the summer trying out rugby at Provence Rugby, where he participated in training sessions with the team, according to a report. The San Antonio Spurs star spent part of his offseason training with Provence Rugby in the French Pro D2.
Victor Wembanyama Learns Rugby Skills With Provence Rugby
Every summer, the French center shifts his athletic focus to entirely different sports. After previous excursions exploring Shaolin martial arts and soccer, Wembanyama re-laced his athletic shoes in August to join Provence Rugby for an unannounced training camp in southeastern France. Accompanied by Spurs teammate Harrison Barnes, Wembanyama immersed himself in rugby training sessions under the watchful eye of the club’s coaching staff.
The 7-foot-3 center participated in core rugby drills, working on passing, lineouts, and physical contact. In videos shared by the club, Wembanyama is seen practicing defensive stops with a smile, noting that he had never tackled anyone in his life before stepping onto the pitch.
Coaching Staff Praise the NBA Star’s Physical Adaptability
Philippe Saint-André, the manager of Provence Rugby, welcomed the NBA star to the club’s training facilities. Earlier, Saint-André remarked in L’Equipe that Wembanyama’s height and wingspan on defensive contests would give trouble to any professional hooker in the sport. Jules Plisson, a former France international who now serves as the skills coach at Provence, outlined the specific physical program designed for the basketball phenom.
Coaches put Wembanyama through short-burst sprints, teaching him how to drive forward, execute a controlled tackle, get back to his feet, and repeat the sequence. Beyond the training pitch, Wembanyama spent time inside the locker room and players’ tunnel ahead of Provence Rugby’s fixture against Nissa Rugby on August 13.
San Antonio Spurs Prepare for the NBA Season Opener
Following his immersion in French rugby culture, Wembanyama returned stateside to resume preparations with the San Antonio Spurs. The team is scheduled to tip off the regular season on October 20 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking a rematch of the previous NBA finals.
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