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Britney Spears alleges assault after Victor Wembanyama’s security guards were manhandled outside a Las Vegas restaurant when she slapped the athlete on the shoulder while greeting her.
Singer Britney Spears has apologized after accusing a member of NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security of hitting her outside a Las Vegas restaurant while trying to greet the San Antonio Spurs player.
in one tweet Britney Spears did not name Wembanyama on the incident, but she did cite public comments he had made to reporters hours earlier about the encounter. Spears, 41, says she saw an athlete at two different hotels on Wednesday night and decided to “walk up to him in front of a restaurant at the second hotel and congratulate him on his success”.
Spears claimed that after she patted him on the shoulder, a member of his security “backhanded me in the face,” ripped off her glasses, and almost fell her. The singer says she is still waiting for an apology from the player, his security and his team.
19-year-old Wembanyama was, and still is, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last month expected will be playing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas starting Friday.
Prior to Spears’ tweet, Wembanyama offered a different perspective on events when meeting with reporters in Las Vegas. He said that “one person called me” but Spurs security had told him not to stop for anyone as it could draw a crowd. He said someone “grabbed me from behind, not by my shoulder”.
“I don’t know with how much force, but security pushed her away,” Wembanyama said, adding that he didn’t know the woman was Britney Spears until hours later. “I didn’t stop to check, so I walked on and enjoyed a nice dinner.”
Spears said she was “unprepared for what happened” and that it was “extremely embarrassing” to discuss it publicly, but “I think it’s important to share this story and to urge people in the public to set an example and treat all people with respect.”
Standing at over six feet tall, Wembanyama is one of the most acclaimed NBA youngsters of recent years, averaging more than 20 points and ten rebounds per game last season.