The league in the past decade has seen a seismic shift, evolving from a primarily American-centric league to a diverse and global powerhouse. NBA’s on-court makeup currently features 125 international players. These numbers are also reflective of their quality, with international players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid dominating the MVP voting scene in recent seasons. The 2023 All-Star Game featured nine overseas players, a sharp increase from the three players who took part in the 2013 All-Star Game.

Recently, the French phenom Victor Wembanyama set the league ablaze with his rare combination of skill, size, and athleticism. However, now that it’s been over a month since his debut, the spotlight has pivoted to an intriguing question: does Wemby hold US citizenship?

Victor Wembanyama’s citizenship queries cleared

The towering 7’4″ unicorn was born and raised in Le Chesnay, France. Before entering the league, Wemby represented the Metropolitans 92, France’s Pro-A League, in which he was named MVP, the best scorer, and the best defender. The 2023 first-overall pick has also represented the French national team, leading them to two silver medals at the youth level. He is still exclusively a citizen of France and does not hold dual citizenship.

International players in the NBA are allowed to stay in the US on a work visa since playing in the NBA is considered a job. However, they fall under the category of “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” by the U.S. Government. International professional athletes have to apply for ‘O-1’ visas, which are specifically geared towards individuals deemed to be of extraordinary ability in their niche field.

Victor Wembanyama will represent France in the 2024 Summer Olympics

With the Olympics 2024 taking place in his native land, Paris, the San Antonio Spurs rookie has made his intentions clear. Wemby has affirmed his commitment to represent France in the Summer Olympics taking place next year. The Frenchman had missed the FIBA World Cup to prepare for his NBA Draft. Without his services, France had one of the most disappointing exits, finishing 18th overall.

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However, the 19-year-old is gearing up to change that narrative at the upcoming Olympics. This could very well be a threat to LeBron‘s ‘Redeem Team 2.0’ that he has reportedly been recruiting over the summer. “It’s not an option. I’ll be at the Olympics,” said Wemby. “I don’t intend to do anything else. For me, the club and the national team are as important as each other, so I have no reason not to want to win titles with my national team.”

Speaking of his dream scenario, Wemby divulged last fall that he would like to “beat Team USA in the final” to win a gold medal. With Wemby on their side, Les Bleus will give Team USA a run for their money.

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