Victor Wembanyama has been maintaining a carefully regulated workout regimen since his deep vein thrombosis diagnosis, appearing publicly just once alongside fellow Frenchman Maxime Raynaud in Dallas.
"I'm able to do hard work, hard lifting," – Wembanyama explained about his offseason approach. "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 connection between these French talents runs deep. The two have shared interests beyond basketball, including chess matches and occasional social media interactions.
Raynaud, who has known the Spurs' star since their early teens, spoke candidly about Wembanyama's projected trajectory.
"I've known Victor since we were probably 14, 15 years old," – Raynaud told the San Francisco Chronicle. "For as long as I can remember, everyone knew Victor would be France's next great player. It was just obvious."
While French media flocked to San Antonio to track the No. 1 pick's American adjustment, Raynaud has quietly built his own impressive résumé. His senior campaign at Stanford yielded remarkable numbers – a 20-point double-double average across nearly 40 appearances.
Interestingly, Raynaud's combine measurements showcase his formidable physical presence: 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 his ACC success will translate to the professional level – and whether he's worth the "Spurs" investing a lottery pick. Could we see these French friends reunited in San Antonio's frontcourt?
