By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The only son of French immigrants, Bob Cousy was born and grew up in New York, and went on to win six NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. At 96, the NBA’s ‘First Frenchman’ remains close to basketball, especially French prodigy Victor Wembanyama.
“Tell him he will be the next Bill Russell and let him know that the first Frenchman in NBA history is watching him closely and with great attention,” he shared in a message relayed by SpursReport.
A six-time NBA champion and NBA MVP in 1957, Cousy was the floor general of the C’s for 13 years. A legendary career led him to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and his jersey number 14 being retired by the Celtics, among numerous more individual accolades.
Following his departure from the Boston organization in 1963, Russell powered the Celtics to the top of the NBA on five more occasions to become an 11-time champion. The centerpiece of the Celtics and NBA history passed away in 2022.
Preparing for his second season with the San Antonio Spurs, one year after being selected with the top pick of the 2023 NBA draft, 20-year-old Wemby seems destined to become the next leading star of the league based in North America.
Opening the 2024 NBA Preseason schedule, the team coached by Gregg Popovich hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder in Frost Bank Center on Monday. Two more home affairs versus the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz follow on Wednesday and Saturday.