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Biyombo, 33, hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While Wembanyama is from France, his father, Victor, is of Congolese descent, his grandmother lived in the Congo, and the basketball star hopes to visit Africa one day. Biyombo and Wembanyama are also the team’s only French-speaking players. “Obviously, the kid is great and talented,” Biyombo told Andscape about Wembanyama. “He’s an incredible human being, just overall. Very respectful. It speaks a lot about him. I’ve spent time with his dad. You can tell the values he has implemented into his son. … “He has handled everything that has been thrown at him with great poise and presence. Wemby is Wemby. He’s one of a kind.”
Said Wembanyama: “Bismack, I’ve talked to him about [the DRC]. I’ve asked him about what it’s like to go back to the country as an NBA player. … It’s great to have him here. And one last reason is that it is great to speak French to somebody.” And it’s also not uncommon for Biyombo to step back and allow Wembanyama to figure it out for himself. Game 1 of the NBA Finals was one of those nights.
“You can observe the energy,” Biyombo told Andscape. “There are moments there where you can pick and choose. There are moments when you got to speak to everybody. You have to find a balance of when to rally everybody and be direct with him on how he sees the game. You can tell how the game goes when he needs some words of wisdom, encouragement and things that I see. “It has been great with Wemby. I’ve played with a lot of superstars, but he has been very receptive to information, critiques. He’s open to that, and then he kind of adjusts to the game. In the second half and going into the fourth quarter [of Game 1], he got more aggressive going to the basket. I didn’t say anything. He figured it out himself. Sometimes he just figures it out himself. It’s about finding the balance of when to be on him and when to let him be.”
The NBA, the San Antonio Spurs and Emirates are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to officially unveil refurbished spaces at the Denver Heights Community Center. As a part of its NBA Cares Finals Legacy Project presented by Emirates, the community center’s revamped gym, multipurpose room and “upgraded gaming equipment for youth and families” will be on display for use for the first time.
Among the attendees for the ceremony will be: · NBA Commissioner Adam Silver · NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum · Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford · Spurs players Harrison Barnes, Lindy Waters III, Mason Plumlee, Bismack Biyombo and David Jones Garcia
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But there was a moment in the early second quarter of Game 7 when he was leaning, quite literally, on Bismack Biyombo for advice. His vet gave him a speech about how he was playing and carrying himself. The what, which he knows, but more importantly, the why and the how, which he’s learning. “It’s the first time you’re facing the NBA playoffs with somebody else on the other side that won the MVP that you were supposed to win — that’s even more pressure. It brings joy,” Biyombo told The Athletic. “I think when you see all the emotions of crying, the road has been so tough. To bring so much joy into how much sacrifice that people have done in this locker room, accepting their roles, and the most important thing is that Vic has handled the pressure so well. (We) kind of started understanding that in order for him to handle it so well, we all got to help him, rather, in a small way or big way.”
Matt Guzman: Devin Vassell says the teammate he’d least like to fight is Bismack Biyombo. He pointed to him while the center was at the free throw line, to which Biyombo claimed “fake news.” Once he learned what Devin said, he changed his tune. “Yeah, that’s real news.” #PorVida
Bismack Biyombo: Last Friday, I had the opportunity to host an art gala featuring the next generation… and every painting meant more than color. Grateful for our owner, front office, the Coach, teammates, and the San Antonio community who showed up with intention. In a world that scrolls past pain… you chose to stop, listen, and care. A room full of people looked at the dreams of children they’ve never met… and decided those dreams mattered. Thank you and God bless
Tom Orsborn: Bismack Biyombo was blown away by how many of his teammates and others in the organization attended his gala to raise money to ease suffering in the DR Congo: “It’s a different thing when you hear about the Spurs organization and when you experience it. They do things different. They show up.”
Keldon Johnson jumped to his feet to let out one of his trademark full-throated roars after he issued the winning $15,000 bid for a painting of Muhammad Ali by a young Congolese artist at the Bismack Biyombo Foundation's fundraising gala Friday night. "Keldon bids like he plays - loud and proud," the event's emcee, Spurs TV voice Jacob Tobey, said.
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Several other players, including Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, showed up to support Biyombo. Others in attendance included coach Mitch Johnson and several of his assistants, general manager Brian Wright, franchise CEO R.C. Buford, Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt and Spurs shareholder Charlie Amato. Wembanayama was one of the first players to arrive. "I actually did not speak to Vic about this," Biyombo said. "I just sent (invitations out) in a group text message, and he just showed up. And the first thing he did was give me this big hug, a full of smile, and I got somewhat emotional and said, "Man, thank you.' ... But that's who Vic is, man."
Johnson said he wasn't surprised that so many members of the team showed up to support Biyombo. "He's been the ultimate teammate, the ultimate leader for us in the locker room," Johnson said.
"We're brothers," Johnson said. "And this is what brothers do. Brothers show up for each other. ... We're a close-knit group and I feel like we're not afraid to show that. We just continue to show our love for each other and show how much we support each other - on and off the court. "...I had a wonderful night, and being able to give back in any way I can for Bis and his people means more than anything in the world to me."
Maxime Aubin: "You see the bond between Victor Wembanyama and Bismack Biyombo. They share that bond because they’re from the same roots, basically. Between that and what you see on the floor, you can witness him helping and teaching him what it takes to make it to the playoffs and make a big run. Definitely, I think it helps a lot. Especially Bismack, he’s a great guy. I speak a lot with him because, you know, he speaks French. I think he's really important for Wemby and everything this year. In terms of other French players, I know that Nando [De Colo] was maybe supposed to sign for the Spurs, and it didn't happen. I was so enthusiastic about having him because this guy is just an amazing human being, a great player, and the captain of the French national team. But great for him that he signed with the Bulls and he's doing good there."