Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé was sat courtside at the NBA Finals in Oakland last night to see the Toronto Raptors clinch their maiden NBA title after defeating the Golden State Warriors 114-110 in Game 6.
The World Cup winner talked about Tony Parker’s retirement, the NBA Paris 2020 Game and how his love of basketball started.
On Tony Parker’s retirement
Mbappé: “He’s one of France’s greatest sportsmen ever. He instilled that ethic of hard work and ambition and I am a huge fan of all that he has achieved – a four-time NBA Champion which is incredible. Everyone is a fan of him in France.”
On the NBA Paris Game 2020
Mbappé: “Yeah it’s amazing. It will be the first regular season game in Paris. I have already requested tickets! It will be amazing… There are so many NBA fans in France, staying up late at night to watch NBA games so to have a ‘home’ game in France is just fantastic!”
On Giannis Antetokounmpo
Mbappé: “He’s a monster! I love to watch him play. When you watch him play he is so efficient and effective. He’s a real physical specimen and so impressive to watch.”
How his love of basketball started
Mbappé: “I have always been a fan of players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden – so I wanted to watch them more and more and follow the game. And I love the whole atmosphere you get at an NBA game.”
On the popularity of the NBA in France
Mbappé: “There are more and more players who get drafted and have the chance to play in the NBA. It’s incredible for France and gives those players visibility around the world. It also gives young fans the opportunity to dream to one day play in the NBA so it’s really great.”
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images 
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) 
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
