Before Victor Wembanyama was playing in the NBA Cup final against the New York Knicks in the night of December 16, his destiny had prepared an ending that hit him hard twice. Firstly, the San Antonio Spurs lost the game 124-113 and with it, Wembanyama’s desire to lift a trophy before the end of the year. However, a secondly, a worse new had arrived before the game. His maternal grandmother, Marie Christine, had passed away that day in France.
Despite the personal tragedy, the 21-year-old superstar stepped into the court and showed a level of professionalism that left fans and teammates in awe. But who was Marie Christine, what was her cause of death and why was she that important for Victor?
What we know about Marie Christine
As of now, the specific cause of death for Marie Christine has not been made public. We know she passed away in France while Victor was preparing for one of the biggest games of his young career.
The news reached Wembanyama shortly before the NBA Cup final. While the details of her passing remain private, the impact was visible in the player. Following the loss, an emotional Wembanyama spoke briefly to reporters, his voice heavy with grief.
“I’m sorry, I lost somebody today,” he shared, confirming the worrying news that had begun to circulate among the Spurs community.
A legacy of basketball in Wembanyama’s family
Marie Christine was more than just a spectator in Victor’s life. She was considered to be the one who built the bridge that connected Wembanyama to basketball and ultimately, made him a global icon. To fully understand who she was, one must look at the de Fautereau family’s athletic DNA.
Marie Christine’s husband (Victor’s grandfather), Michel de Fautereau, was a professional basketball player too back in the day. As Marie Christine was a fundamental piece for Michel’s success at the time, she was also Victor’s biggest supporter during his formation.
Though she did not play professionally herself, Marie Christine was a lifelong admirer of the game. Growing up in Le Chesnay, France, Victor was surrounded by this passion. His grandmother was a constant source of support, a habit that translated from her husband to her grandson as Victor began his own path.
The unconditional love from a grandmother
Even with Victor moving to the NBA and the consequent distance between countries, Marie Christine remained being his best fan. She has been seen at several of his games in the past, watching with pride as the boy she helped raise became in of the most talked-about athletes in the world.
With her passing, Marie Christine leaves behind a legacy that will permanently live on through Victor, his sister Eve (also a professional basketball player), and his brother Oscar. She was a central figure in a family that values privacy, hard work, and athletic excellence.
While the San Antonio Spurs must continue their season, Victor Wembanyama will carry way more than just the weight of a franchise on his shoulders: the memory of a grandmother who was there before the lights aimed at him were bright.
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