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Victor Wembanyama needs all hands on deck.
The two-time NBA All-Star is calling for help in locating a friend, 23-year-old Elijah Hoard, who was reported missing over the weekend in Chicago after his family stated he did not board a flight back to France.
“Our friend Elijah has been missing from Chicago O’Hare since February 27. If you have any information please reach out to local authorities,” Wembanayama wrote Monday on an Instagram Story, where he tagged notable Bulls stars such as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, as well as the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard.
Hoard was last seen on Friday at O’Hare Airport, according to a missing person bulletin shared Sunday by Chicago police, which added he was dressed in a “brown hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and cream colored shoes.” Authorities stated Hoard “may be in need of medical attention.”
Hoard’s father, Antwon, spoke about his son’s 10-day trip with a local outlet and how things shifted as the stay came to a close.
“Everything seemed pretty normal the first eight days, but the last two days his whole mood had swung, and he was really adamant about not going back home, and he didn’t want to go home,” Antwon said.
Hoard never checked in for his flight, according to his father, who theorized, “He could possibly be floating around the airport or something.”
Wembanyama will not return to Chicago this season with the Spurs.
The team’s 11-game hot streak was ended by the Knicks Sunday with a 114-89 loss.
The Spurs’ first chance to get back on track comes Tuesday in Philadelphia against the Sixers.
San Antonio is second in the Western Conference at 43-17.