Wembanyama swaps basketball for rugby pads with Provence

Victor Wembanyama spent part of his summer getting hit.

The San Antonio Spurs basketball star swapped the court for the training field with Provence, the French second-tier rugby union club, during his off-season. Provence later released images of him in club kit taking part in full sessions, as reported by L'Equipe.

He did not just watch from the side. Wembanyama joined in tackle-pad drills, where players run into padded shields to practise contact safely, along with passing drills and a line-out, according to the BBC. A line-out is the set-piece where teammates lift a jumper to catch a ball thrown back in from touch.

He also joined the Provence huddle before a pre-season friendly in August. It was a proper welcome, not a photo call.

Wembanyama said he was inspired by the unity and camaraderie of rugby. He said Provence treated him like part of the team, despite him not being part of the team.

He did not go alone. Spurs team-mate Harrison Barnes joined him on the trip to the south of France.

There was a familiar rugby face in the group. Teimana Harrison, who won five England caps in 2016, now plays for Provence. For newcomers, caps mean appearances for a national team.

The rugby detour ran alongside Wembanyama's own summer project. He also hosted his Hoop Gambit event, which mixes chess and basketball, in his hometown of Le Chesnay.

What makes this stand out is the contrast. Basketball is about space, speed and sharp shooting. Rugby union is about collective push, shared tackles and winning the ball back at rucks, scrums and line-outs. Trying the other code is a sharp way to test fitness and togetherness.