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.

Wemby’s first NBA game in France was a smashing success, as he went off for 30 points in the Spurs’ 140-110 win over the Pacers.