"It's very possible that he'll be the face of basketball. Not just NBA basketball, but world basketball," said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.

But beyond the final score, the game’s biggest talking point came when Spurs rising star Victor Wembanyama found himself on the receiving end of a hard shove from Clippers center Ivica Zubac. The moment led to a rare visible frustration from Wembanyama, who attempted to confront Zubac before being held back by teammates and coaches.

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.

After a week in France, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are back in the United States to resume the regular season. The Spurs won the first of two contests vs. the Indiana Pacers in Paris by 30 points.

Victor Wembanyama was ready to become the world’s tallest kickboxer on Wednesday night.

Victor Wembanyama didn't appreciate a shove from Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac as the two sprinted toward the hoop Wednesday night. The San Antonio Spurs' Harrison Barnes knocked down a three-pointer as Zubac sent Wembanyama flying into his own bench as the shot went through the net.