The Spurs signed veteran point guard and all-time great Chris Paul this summer for a one-year deal. The main reason for the signing was simply to offer Wembanyama a steady hand both on and off the court, although Paul, like Wembanyama, values winning above all else.

After the game, Chris Paul spoke about Wembanyama when he met with the media. Paul: "I can't imagine what it was like for Vic to come back home and play. I know he was so excited.

The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs’ new master plan were immediately planted.