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.
A purported eyewitness to the incident told TMZ that Spears "pursued" Wembanyama while calling out, "Excuse me sir, excuse me sir," prompting security to strike her. She 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 don't know with how much force, though. I didn't stop to look. I just kept walking [to go] enjoy the nice dinner.
Below is Wembanyama'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
Update 3: Spears has responded to Wembanyama's comments. She took to Twitter to issue a statement about the "backhand" she received after approaching the Spurs rookie.
Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them. I was not prepared for what happened to me last night. I recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again. I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.
It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. I am aware of the players (sic) statement where he mentions 'I grabbed him from behind' but I simply tapped him on the shoulder. His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses [to fall] off my face.
I get swarmed by people all the time. In fact, that night. I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security team didn't hit any of them.
Update 4: According to a report from the Associated Press, the Las Vegas Police Department will decline to press charges against Smith. Video surveillance reportedly showed Spears "inadvertently hit herself in the face" after he pushed her hand off Wembanyama's back.
Victor Wembamyama-Britney Spears video
Footage of the incident — which lasts only 17 seconds — shows Spears approach Wembanyama and attempt to get his attention from behind. She did not grab him, as he claimed, but neither does the clip show Spears getting knocked to the ground (it is uncertain whether she fell after the footage concluded).
It does show someone's arm — Smith's, presumably — reach in from out of frame, though it's uncertain whether he struck her face or caused her to strike herself.
Here is video of the incident from TMZ (via The NBA Central):
Video of Britney Spears and Victor Wembanyama:
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 7, 2023
(Via TMZ) pic.twitter.com/KIr0jy9Lbh
Spears added that the story was "super embarrassing to share" but she wanted to make people aware of what happened. She also expressed hope that she would receive a public apology in wake of the incident.
"Phyiscal violence is happening too much in this world," Spears wrote. "Often behind closed doors. I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!! I have yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or their organization. I hope they will..."
This story will be updated.
