Victor Wembanyama has been largely absent from public workouts since receiving his deep vein thrombosis diagnosis, with just one exception. The French phenom was spotted training in Dallas alongside fellow countryman Maxime Raynaud.
"I'm able to do hard work, hard lifting," Wembanyama explained about his current regimen. "It's all very controlled and light. Sometimes, I feel like I'd like to do more... (but) it's logical, medical direction, so I trust the process."
The two French basketball players share a history that extends beyond their recent workout. They've played chess together, discussed basketball, and occasionally share content on social media.
Raynaud, who has known Wembanyama since their early teens, provided insight into the Spurs star's reputation in their homeland. "For as long as I can remember, everyone knew Victor would be France's next great player. It was just obvious," he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
While French media has flocked to San Antonio to document the No. 1 pick's adjustment to American life, Raynaud's own basketball journey has been developing more quietly. The Stanford Cardinal senior posted impressive numbers last season, averaging a 20-point double-double across nearly 40 appearances.
At the NBA Combine, Raynaud's measurements turned heads - standing 7-feet without shoes, weighing 237 pounds, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach.
The big question now? Whether Raynaud's ACC success will translate to the professional level, and if the Spurs might consider using a valuable lottery pick on Wembanyama's compatriot. Could this French connection become a fixture in San Antonio's future plans?
