This story has been updated from a previous version.
Britney Spears says she was assaulted by a member of Victor Wembanyama’s security detail on Wednesday in Las Vegas, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
TMZ reports the incident took place at 8:30 p.m. at a Las Vegas hotel, with Spears entering a restaurant with husband Sam Asghari and two others. It was at that time she saw the No. 1 overall draft pick of the 2023 NBA Draft — who is in town for the Las Vegas Summer League — and walked over to ask whether they could take a photo together.
Per TMZ, Spears tapped Wembanyama on his right shoulder, prompting his security to backhand her, knocking her glasses off and causing her to fall to the ground. TMZ identified the person as Damian Smith, the Spurs’ director of team security.
Spears reportedly “composed herself” and left the scene to return to her table. Smith later approached her at her table to apologize, saying, “You understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans.” Spears accepted his apology but, after her security detail met with Smith and his team, filed a police report.
TMZ reports Smith struck Spears because he did not immediately recognize who she was. The outlet later provided an update with conflicting reports as to whether the incident is being handled as a criminal matter.
Update: TMZ, citing a law enforcement source close to the situation, reports camera footage showed Smith pushed Spears’ hand away, and that it was her own hand — not Smith’s — that struck her in the race.
Update 2: Wembanyama spoke about the incident while meeting with reporters on Thursday. He explained that he didn’t see exactly what happened and didn’t know that the person who approached him was Spears until well after the event.
Something did happen, a little bit, when I was walking with some security of the team to go to some restaurant. We were in a hall. There was a lot of people — people calling me obviously. There was one person who was calling me, but we talked before we do security, ‘Don’t stop because it’s gonna make a crowd.’ So, I couldn’t stop.
That person grabbed me from behind. I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and was told ‘don’t stop,’ but that person grabbed me from behind my shoulders right from behind. I just know that security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look. I just kept walking [to go] enjoy the nice dinner.
Below is Wenbanyama’s full recounting of the episode:
.@vicw_32 on the situation last night involving Britney Spears pic.twitter.com/I0mHJvJzs4
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) July 6, 2023
This story will be updated.