Victor Wembanyama stood on the center stripe of a new outdoor court in his hometown, his arms outstretched to their full 8-foot wingspan as he posed for a slew of photographers

Growing up in the quiet Paris suburb of Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, Victor Wembanyama, who played both soccer and basketball, used to dream about having access to a basketball court where he could practice and hoop to his heart’s delight. Now, that dream has come true—not just for him, but for the young kids and athletes growing up in his hometown.

Wembanyama is a special talent, and before the whole world knew who he was, he was a kid from Le Chesnay in the Paris region. That is where he grew to love the game of basketball. As he and his team get ready to play a two-game series in his home country against the Indiana Pacers, he was honored with a special basketball court in his hometown.