Victor Wembanyama said his charge at Ivica Zubac during a San Antonio Spurs loss to the Los Angeles Clippers was the result of building frustration from what he believes is unfair treatment by NBA referees.

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

The Spurs signed veteran point guard and all-time great Chris Paul this summer for a one-year deal. The main reason for the signing was simply to offer Wembanyama a steady hand both on and off the court, although Paul, like Wembanyama, values winning above all else.

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.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown were among the 14 players named on Thursday as reserves for next month's NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco.

The reigning rookie of the year is an NBA All-Star for the first time, with the 21-year-old from France one of the 14 players announced Thursday night as members of the reserve pool for the midseason exhibition that will take place Feb. 16 at the home of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Victor Wembanyama becomes only the fourth Spurs player to make the All-Star Game in his first or second season.

Wembanyama becomes only the fourth Spurs player to make the All-Star Game in his first or second season. The others: Alvin Robertson in 1986, David Robinson in 1990 and 1991, and Tim Duncan in 1998. Coaches select the reserves,

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs chosen as an NBA All-Star for the first time. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events