NBA star Victor Wembanyama has broken his silence on the wave of violence gripping Minneapolis, labelling the recent deaths by federal agents as ‘unacceptable.’
The 22-year-old San Antonio Spurs star, widely regarded as the face of the league’s future, admitted he was ‘horrified’ by the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti.
Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation.
His death came less than three weeks after 37-year-old mother Renee Good was also fatally shot by ICE agents in the same city.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the French-born phenom rejected ‘politically correct’ scripts, choosing instead to address the escalating crisis directly.
‘[Spurs] PR has tried, but I’m not going to sit here and give some politically correct (answer), you know?’ Wenbanyama said to gathered media.
NBA star Victor Wembanyama has become the latest sports icon to condemn ICE
People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead
‘Every day, I wake up and see the news and I’m horrified. I think that it’s crazy that some people might make it seem or make it sound like it’s acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable.
‘I know I’m a foreigner. I live in this country, and I am concerned, for sure.’
Wembanyama’s comments follow a powerful statement from the NBA Players Association, which declared that players ‘can no longer remain silent.’
The union has called for solidarity with protesters in Minnesota who are currently ‘risking their lives to demand justice.’
Wembanyama is not the only international star to voice his outrage over the recent events.
Fellow Frenchman and New York Knicks player Guerschon Yabusele also took to social media to condemn the events.
‘Even though I’m French, I can’t remain silent,’ Yabusele posted on X. ‘What’s happening is beyond comprehension.
‘We’re talking about murders here, these are serious matters. The situation must change, the government must stop operating in this way. I stand with Minnesota.’
Pretti was killed by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation
Renee Good was shot to death by ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this month
Wembanyama praised his national teammate’s bravery, noting that speaking out ‘takes some balls’ given the current political climate.
The Trump administration has remained critical of local Minnesota officials as federal agents continue aggressive immigration crackdowns.
However, President Trump recently claimed to be on a ‘similar wavelength’ with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following a phone call between the two.
As the Super Bowl approaches and ‘ICE OUT’ protests spread across the country, the sports world appears increasingly unwilling to stick to basketball.
