Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Says He’s ‘Horrified’ By Recent ICE Killings In Minnesota

San Antonio Spurs‘ Victor Wembanyama has made a statement on the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement shootings.

Wembanyama was asked about the recent ICE shootings after a Spurs practice. His fellow Frenchman, Guerschon Yabusele, made a public statement denouncing the shootings.

“Every day I wake up and see the news, and I’m horrified,” Wembanyama said, “I think it’s crazy that some people might make it seem like or make it sound like the murder of civilians is acceptable.”

Two civilians in Minnesota, named Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during ICE interactions. The specifics of the events are still being investigated. Good was a mother of three, and Pretti was an ICU nurse who had treated military veterans. 

The NBA Players Association, the league’s players’ union, issued a public statement saying that players can no longer remain silent on excessive immigration enforcement. The NBA has generally been pretty open to player activism in the past. NBA players famously wore jerseys with activism statements on the back during the 2020 season. 

A game between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves was postponed due to protests of the ICE shooting in Minnesota. The game was made up a day later, on Jan. 25. The Warriors won off a strong performance from Stephen Curry and Moses Moody. 

The Timberwolves were among many Minnesota sports teams that issued public statements denouncing ICE’s actions. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also made a statement. 

The WNBA has led the way in public denunciations against ICE. Wembanyama was one of the first NBA players to make an individual public statement. Injured Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns joined him shortly after. 

“What is happening in the Twin Cities and the Great North Star State is heartbreaking to witness.” Towns said on X.