French NBA star Victor Wembanyama throws support behind school protests: 'I was in that position'

French NBA star Victor Wembanyama throws support behind school protests: 'I was in that position' Wembanyama previously replied to a fan on Instagram that he ‘would love to’ join the protests - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in French basketball star Victor Wembanyama has offered his support to teenagers who are protesting over conditions in the country's schools. Official figures from the Interior Ministry indicate that 71,500 people joined demonstrations on Thursday, including 24,500 who gathered in central Paris at Place de la Bastille. "These are systemic inequalities – problems so deep-rooted that, in fact, I'm glad that high-school students and young people in general are speaking up," Wembanyama told a press conference on Thursday night. "I hear them, and I support them, and I hope the people all over there will do the same." The San Antonio Spurs player had previously replied "I would love to" when asked by a fan on Instagram to join the protests with young people. "I have a lot of interest. I meant it," Wembanyama added during the press conference. "I was in that position not so long ago." "I've had the chance to escape this system, to escape these problems. But it's chance, it's luck. So I want to show my support." "It's not something that's completely unfamiliar to me. I went to high school in Nanterre, which was already a stronghold of 'blocages' back then," he said, referring to student-led school blockades. Widespread anxiety over state education has helped trigger some of France’s most significant protests in decades. The demonstrations started last month in high schools throughout Paris' impoverished northern suburbs, where anger regarding teacher absences and poor facilities rapidly grew into a national movement opposing inequality, weak public spending and declining standards. Earlier this week, it was reported that riot police used tear gas and water cannon in violent clashes with protesters. The French interior ministry said at least 260,000 people took part in marches in multiple cities on Tuesday, including Paris, Marseille, Nantes and Lyon, while the inter-union group claimed as many as 450,000 demonstrators were involved across the country. Half of France’s 3,700 high schools were shut or partially closed as a result of the protests, which started as an appeal for better conditions but have grown over the last fortnight and become increasingly dangerous.