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San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has said he feels deeply disturbed following two fatal shootings involving immigration agents in Minnesota, describing his reaction as one of horror after learning of the deaths. The victims were intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, 37, and fellow Minnesota resident Renee Good, also 37. Both were killed by federal agents in separate incidents in the city earlier this month. Their deaths have triggered protests in Minnesota and in other parts of the United States, with demonstrators raising concerns about immigration enforcement tactics and the use of force.
The shootings occurred amid an ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in the city, which has been underway for more than six weeks. The operation was ordered by the administration of President Donald Trump. ICE agents are authorized to stop, detain, and arrest individuals they suspect of being in the country illegally, a mandate that has drawn growing scrutiny from civil rights groups and community leaders.
Wembanyama, who is French and not a US citizen, acknowledged that he had been hesitant to comment publicly on the situation. He said the Spurs’ public relations staff had advised him to avoid the topic, but he ultimately felt compelled to speak honestly.
He explained that he did not want to offer a carefully worded or neutral response simply to avoid controversy. Wembanyama said that reading the news each day has left him shocked and troubled, adding that he finds it alarming that anyone might attempt to justify or normalize the killing of civilians.
Earlier this week, New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele, another French player in the NBA, shared a strong statement on social media calling on the US government to change its approach. Wembanyama praised Yabusele for speaking out but noted that such actions can come with consequences, saying that everyone must decide what personal cost they are willing to accept when taking a public stance.
When asked directly whether he feared repercussions for his comments, Wembanyama admitted that he did. He said the situation has led him to reflect deeply on his own life and position as a foreigner living in the United States.
He added that while he has serious concerns about what is happening, speaking openly about everything on his mind could come at too great a cost at this stage. For that reason, he chose to limit his remarks, saying there was enough context in what he had already shared. Wembanyama concluded by noting that he would be more comfortable discussing the issue privately at another time rather than continuing publicly for now.
Wembanyama, who is French and not a US citizen, acknowledged that he had been hesitant to comment publicly on the situation. He said the Spurs’ public relations staff had advised him to avoid the topic, but he ultimately felt compelled to speak honestly.
He explained that he did not want to offer a carefully worded or neutral response simply to avoid controversy. Wembanyama said that reading the news each day has left him shocked and troubled, adding that he finds it alarming that anyone might attempt to justify or normalize the killing of civilians.
Earlier this week, New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele, another French player in the NBA, shared a strong statement on social media calling on the US government to change its approach. Wembanyama praised Yabusele for speaking out but noted that such actions can come with consequences, saying that everyone must decide what personal cost they are willing to accept when taking a public stance.
When asked directly whether he feared repercussions for his comments, Wembanyama admitted that he did. He said the situation has led him to reflect deeply on his own life and position as a foreigner living in the United States.
He added that while he has serious concerns about what is happening, speaking openly about everything on his mind could come at too great a cost at this stage. For that reason, he chose to limit his remarks, saying there was enough context in what he had already shared. Wembanyama concluded by noting that he would be more comfortable discussing the issue privately at another time rather than continuing publicly for now.