Singer Britney Spears demanded an apology after accusing security guards of the NBA star of punching San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wenbanyama in the face outside a Las Vegas restaurant on Thursday. .
in a tweet Spears didn’t name Wenbanyama for the bout, but referenced a public comment Wenbanyama made to reporters hours earlier when talking about the unnamed player. Ms Spears, 41, said she saw the “athlete” at two different hotels Wednesday night, and at the second hotel “decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success” outside the restaurant. According to Spears, after she tapped the man on the shoulder, a member of her security team “hit her in the face with her backhand,” dropping her glasses and nearly knocking her over. It says.
Spears said he was still waiting for an apology from the players, security guards and team. Wenbanyama, 19, was the number one pick in last month’s NBA Draft. He is expected to play in the NBA’s Summer League, which starts in Las Vegas on Friday.
The Spurs did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Thursday. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not respond to an emailed request for comment. A person who answered the phone with the department’s Office of Public Records said it could not comment on specific cases and said it could take three to five days to respond to a record request.
In a statement to multiple media outlets, variety and peopleAt about 11 p.m. Wednesday, the Las Vegas Police Department announced that “officers responded to a property on Block 3700 of Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a battery investigation,” but no arrests or appearances were made.The incident TMZ first reported thursday morning. Spears’ attorney, Matthew S. Rosengart, said Las Vegas police were investigating and declined to comment beyond Spears’ statement.
Early Thursday morning, before Spears’ tweet, Wenbanyama provided another version of the event During a meeting with reporters in Las Vegas. “One called me,” he said, but Spurs security told him not to stop for anyone as it could invite a crowd. Then someone said, “He grabbed me from behind, not my shoulder.”
“The guards pushed her away, I don’t know how much force,” Wenbanyama said, adding that she didn’t know the woman was Spears until hours later. She said, “I didn’t stop and just kept walking and enjoying a nice dinner.”
Mr Spears said he was “unprepared for what happened” and was “very embarrassed” to discuss it publicly.
“But I think it’s important to share this story and set an example for the public and encourage them to treat everyone with respect,” she said.
At over seven feet tall, Wenbanyama is one of the hottest NBA prospects in decades. He averaged 20 points and 10-plus rebounds per game last season with the Metropolitans 92, a French pro team.
Claire Fahey contributed to the report.
