Tony Parker on Victor Wembanyama: He's a little like LeBron James

James also saw many of his teammates contributing heavily coming off the bench. He wasn’t surprised. “It’s great,” James said. “I mean, you know, we’ve got 12 guys that can go out and get the job done, you know, any given night.  And, you know, our second lineup came in and did that tonight for us. Defensively, that’s where it started, and then offensively, they were great as well.” -via EuroHoops.net / August 2, 2024

The latest war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has produced one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Some projections have more than eight million displaced Sudanese, mostly from South Sudan and including those displaced within the country. Another generation is being affected by war and will too know the longings of home. That’s why they didn’t lose on this night against USA. Because South Sudanese people across the world got to see their flag, their people, their likeness on a pedestal with legends. Omot was born in a refugee camp in Kenya in 1994, and he was the lucky one. His parents and older siblings trekked from Ethiopia and were arrested. The United Nations helped get them freed and settled into the Kenyan refugee camp, where Omot was born. He was two when the family relocated to Minnesota. Wednesday, he scored a game-high 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting and was dancing with LeBron James. -via New York Times / August 1, 2024

However, there is one player who bridges the gap between the new and older generations, displaying excellence on and off the court, even at 39. This mainstay of Team USA continues to inspire. “I did. I did,” responded Blatt, who coached LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to 2016, when asked if he watched the USA vs. Serbia game. And how does it feel to watch this player perform at such a high level at his age? “Amazement. And respect. And appreciation. That he can continue doing what he does at this level with such enthusiasm, effort, and commitment. It’s, you know… it’s really unbelievable. It really is. Respect, respect.” -via BasketNews / August 1, 2024

NBA star Tony Parker is selling his Texan mansion—with a waterslide mountain—for $10M Set on a 53-acre lot, the property comes with a 6,000-square-foot gym and one of the largest private waterparks in the U.S. -via Dwell / July 31, 2024

Marc J. Spears: French legend @tonyparker pic.twitter.com/idMRKanYkg -via Twitter @MarcJSpears / July 26, 2024

Tony Parker’s French National Team jersey will be retired ahead of the 2024 France Olympics, and the San Antonio Spurs legend reflected on what it means to him in a social media post. “On the eve of my retirement with the French team, I wanted to say a few words to you. Won 4 nba titles with spurs proud moment But despite these successes, I always wanted to make French basketball shine.” -via Kens5.com / July 12, 2024

“I don’t know what is going on. I don’t know why he gets booed all the time,” said Anthony Edwards, expressing the confusion within the team. The source of the animosity traces back to Embiid’s decision to forgo playing for the French national team, despite allegedly promising to do so. When Edwards was informed of this, he couldn’t help but smile. “But you got Wemby and Rudy; why would he play with y’all? Wemby and Rudy, what more do y’all want? You want three 7-footers?” Edwards laughed. -via BasketNews / July 31, 2024

ClutchPoints: “He should’ve been Rookie of the Year, [Defensive Player of the Year], Most Improved, All-NBA, MVP.” D’Angelo Russell with some HIGH praise for Victor Wembanyama 🗣 (via @TidalLeague / Run Your Race) -via Twitter / July 30, 2024

Grabbing at his lower right leg after a quick trip off the court late in the first quarter, then grabbing at his left hip a couple of times later in the game, Wembanyama seemed to be laboring at times in France’s second game of the Paris Olympics. After the game, Wembanyama said it wasn’t his hip that was bothering him, but “other places.” -via ESPN / July 30, 2024