The list of NBA players joining the chorus responding to the events in Minnesota is growing by the hour. After the Golden State Warriors’ Saturday matchup against the Timberwolves was postponed, Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr were among those speaking in favor of the local community. Victor Wembanyama has now spoken out, and his comments come at a time when Chet Holmgren, who has personal roots just blocks away from where it all happened, also weighed in.

Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs didn’t play in Minnesota. Neither do they have the Timberwolves on their schedule any time soon. Speaking to the media at the practice facility, the young Frenchman went beyond the organization’s PR policy, addressing the death of Alex Pretti and the broader unrest. 

“PR has tried, but I’m not going to sit here and give some politically correct [answer],” Wembanyama said. “Every day I wake up and see the news, and I’m horrified. I think it’s crazy that some people might make it seem like or make it sound like it’s acceptable, like the m—– of civilians is acceptable.”

Wembanyama acknowledged the difficulty of navigating such a polarizing topic as an international athlete.

“I read the news, and sometimes I’m asking very deep questions about my own life,” Wembanyama continued. “I’m conscious also, saying everything that’s on my mind will have a cost that’s too great for me right now, so I’d rather not get into too many details… It’s terrible, I know I’m a foreigner, but I live in this country, and I am concerned.”

Wembanyama’s comments come at a time of heightened tension in the Twin Cities following the deaths of Pretti and 37-year-old Renee Good, who was killed in a separate federal incident in January. The situation has been especially difficult for Chet Holmgren. While he’s the Thunder’s versatile center, he was born and raised in Minneapolis and holds that connection close. Right after his team beat the Pelicans 104-95, he was asked about Minnesota.

Holmgren called it “a very loaded topic” and didn’t want to get into the politics. But he did confirm that it happened very close to his neighborhood.

“I have a lot of friends, family, neighbors, especially close in that area,” the Thunder star said. “My parents’ house is three blocks from where the latest incident happened. I know that area well. My sisters would always get donuts at the donut shop on that street. My grandma’s favorite Greek restaurant is on that street. It’s all very close. Seeing that happen definitely takes you back. You never want to see anything like that happen.”

Holmgren concluded his message with, “I’m wishing safety for everybody.”

Wembanyama and Holmgren were two of many basketball stars who paid tribute to the events in Minnesota.

Stephen Curry deeply appreciated Minneapolis’ resilience in a tough situation

The Golden State Warriors had to extend their stay in Minnesota and got a closer view of what’s going on there. They arrived only a few hours after Pretti’s demise. It led to the NBA and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the Warriors’ consultation, postponing the game on January 24.

Instead, the two teams had back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday. Stephen Curry had been managing a sore knee, but felt warmed by the Minnesota community taking a united stand.

“It was like three straight hours,” Curry said of the protests happening outside his hotel room window. “In negative 10-degree weather. That was beautiful to see that turnout. That speaks to how important people felt it was to have their voice heard.”

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Steve Kerr repeated his message to the Minnesota locals: be united in this. WNBA veteran, Breanna Stewart, boldly set an example by carrying an “Abolish ICE” sign before the Mist vs. Vinyl Unrivaled game. The larger community appreciated her effort.

The situation in Minneapolis has resonated deeply within the league, particularly for those with personal connections to the area. The statements from Wembanyama and Holmgren underscore a league-wide focus on the humanitarian impact of the situation in the Twin Cities.