Victor Wembanyama

Victor Nonga Wembanyama-de Fautereau-Vassel was born on 4 January 2004, in Le Chesnay, in the Paris region. His father, Félix, was born in Belgium and is of Congolese origin. He was a track and field athlete who competed in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Félix acquired French nationality by naturalisation on 10 February 2003. Victor's mother, Élodie de Fautereau, is a French basketball coach and former player. Wembanyama's father and mother are and tall, respectively. His older sister, Ève, plays basketball professionally, and his younger brother, Oscar, has played basketball and handball at the youth level. His maternal grandfather, Michel de Fautereau, played professional basketball, and his grandmother, Marie-Christine, also played the sport. Wembanyama played football as a goalkeeper and practised judo before focusing on basketball. At age seven, Wembanyama began playing for Entente Le Chesnay Versailles, before joining the youth system of Nanterre 92 at age 10. In February 2018, Wembanyama was loaned to FC Barcelona for the Minicopa del Rey, an under-14 tournament in Spain, leading his team to third place. He declined an offer to continue his career with Barcelona, citing that the coaches were not willing to challenge him. ==Professional career==

Nanterre 92 (2019–2021) In the 2019–20 season, Wembanyama gained his first professional experience with the Nanterre 92 senior team under head coach Pascal Donnadieu, Wembanyama made his professional debut on 29 October 2019, playing 31 seconds against Brescia in the EuroCup. At 15 years, nine months and 25 days old, he was the second-youngest player after Stefan Petković to play in the EuroCup. In February 2020, Wembanyama played for Nanterre's under-18 team at the Kaunas qualifying tournament for the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT). On 8 February, he posted 22 points, 15 rebounds and an ANGT-record nine blocks in a win over the under-18 team of Zaragoza. Wembanyama averaged 15.8 points, 12 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and six blocks per game in Kaunas, leading the tournament in blocks and earning all-tournament team honours. He finished the Espoirs season averaging 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, mostly coming off the bench. In the 2020–21 season, Wembanyama split time between Nanterre's senior and under-21 teams and signed an agreement to also play for Centre Fédéral in the Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1). On 23 September 2020, he made his LNB Pro A debut, grabbing one rebound in four minutes against JL Bourg. In October, Wembanyama featured in a viral video where he showcased his skills in a two-on-two pick-up game against Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier. On 12 December, he suffered a stress fracture in his fibula during an Espoirs game against BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, with an estimated recovery time of eight weeks. Wembanyama was sidelined from the Valencia qualifying tournament for the ANGT. After missing two and a half months with injury, he began receiving more playing time with the senior team. On 25 May 2021, Wembanyama recorded season-highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 99–87 win over Orléans Loiret. He started in 10 of 18 Pro A appearances, averaging 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, In Espoirs, Wembanyama averaged 13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, starting in all five of his games. Following the season, he opted to leave Nanterre. ASVEL (2021–2022) in 2021 On 29 June 2021, Wembanyama signed a three-year contract with ASVEL of the Pro A and the EuroLeague. He was unable to play for one month at the start of the season because of an illness. On 1 October, Wembanyama made his EuroLeague debut, recording one block in three minutes in an 88–76 win over Žalgiris. On 10 November, ASVEL announced that he would miss two to three weeks with a fractured finger. He returned on 2 December, but was sidelined again on 20 December, after suffering a bone bruise in his right shoulder against Zenit Saint Petersburg, with an estimated recovery time of four to six weeks. Wembanyama was selected to the LNB All-Star Game, held on 29 December, but was unable to play due to the injury. He made his return on 11 February. He scored 18 points, his career high in the EuroLeague, in an 81–80 loss to Olimpia Milano on 7 April. On 3 June, Wembanyama was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a psoas muscle injury he sustained during a Pro A semifinal game against JDA Dijon. In his absence, ASVEL won its third consecutive Pro A championship. Wembanyama repeated as Pro A Best Young Player, averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in the league. He averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague and finished second to Rokas Jokubaitis in voting for the EuroLeague Rising Star award. After the season, he opted out of his contract with ASVEL, despite promises from club president Tony Parker to build the team around him for the next season. Metropolitans 92 (2022–2023) On 4 July 2022, Wembanyama signed a two-year contract with Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A. He was drawn to the team due to head coach Vincent Collet's reputation for developing and providing opportunities for young players. In the first game, on 4 October, he recorded 37 points, five blocks and four rebounds in a 122–115 loss. Wembanyama led his team to a 112–106 win over the Ignite in their second game, scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. On 27 October, the NBA announced that it would stream all Metropolitans 92 regular-season and playoff games on its app. in 2022 In the 2022–23 Pro A season, Wembanyama emerged as one of the most dominant players in the league. On 4 November 2022, he posted a career-high 33 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 78–69 win over Limoges CSP. On 2 December, Wembanyama recorded his fourth straight 30-point game, with 32 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in a 96–85 victory over Fos Provence, leading his team to its ninth consecutive win. He was named captain of the France team at the LNB All-Star Game on 29 December. On 9 January 2023, Wembanyama made a game-winning putback dunk with 3.5 seconds left in regulation and recorded 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in an 84–83 win over ASVEL. On 27 January, he recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a 102–84 loss to Chorale Roanne. On 21 April, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft. At the end of the regular season, Wembanyama became the youngest player to win the LNB Pro A MVP Award. He was selected to the All-Pro A First Team and named Best Defender, Best Scorer, Best Young Player and Best Blocker. In the playoffs, Wembanyama led Metropolitans 92 to the Finals, where they were eliminated by AS Monaco in a 3–0 sweep. He finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, leading the Pro A in each category. San Antonio Spurs (2023–present) 2023–24 season: Unanimous Rookie of the Year On 22 June 2023, Wembanyama was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He became the first French player to be drafted first overall, and only the second European player to achieve this distinction (following Andrea Bargnani in 2006). In his second Summer League game on 9 July, he put up 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 85–80 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The next day, the Spurs announced that he would sit out for the remainder of the 2023 Summer League. On 25 October, Wembanyama made his NBA regular-season debut putting up 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in a 126–119 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His three three-pointers made set a Spurs' single-game team record for a rookie in his debut. On 2 November, Wembanyama put up a then career-high 38 points alongside 10 rebounds, and two blocks in a 132–121 win over the Phoenix Suns. He joined LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only teenagers in NBA history to put up at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in a game. On 5 November, he put up 20 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks in a 123–116 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors. He became the first Spurs rookie since Tim Duncan to put up 20 points and five blocks in a game. On 18 November, he put up 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and eight blocks in a 120–108 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He joined Tim Duncan and David Robinson as the only players in Spurs history to put up at least eight blocks in a game as a rookie. On 8 December, Wembanyama put up 21 points and 20 rebounds in a 121–112 loss to the Chicago Bulls. He became the youngest player in NBA history to put up at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game at 19 years and 338 days old, surpassing the previous record set by Dwight Howard. On 13 December, he put up 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks in a 122–119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. On 17 December, he put up 17 points and 13 rebounds in a 146–110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. He also surpassed Dwight Howard's record for the most consecutive games with a double-double by a teenager in NBA history with his eighth double-double. On 28 December, he put up 30 points, six rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks in a 118–105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He also became the first teenager in NBA history to put up at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in a game. On 10 January 2024, Wembanyama put up his first career triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 130–108 win over the Detroit Pistons. On 12 February, he had his second career triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 122–99 win over the Toronto Raptors. He became the first player to achieve a triple-double via points, rebounds, and blocks since Clint Capela in 2021. He also became the first player in NBA history to put up a 20-point, 10-block triple-double in fewer than 30 minutes played. On 23 February, Wembanyama put up a five-by-five with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and five blocks in a 123–118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the youngest player in NBA history to record a five-by-five and did so in 30 minutes, the fewest minutes played in NBA history to achieve such a feat. On 3 March, he put up 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, six blocks, and one steal in a 117–105 win over the Indiana Pacers. He became the first rookie in NBA history to have back-to-back games of at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks. He also joined Tim Duncan and David Robinson (all on the Spurs) as the only rookies in NBA history to put up at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in a game. On 15 March, he put up 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks in a 117–106 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He joined Raef LaFrentz as the only players in NBA history to put up 200+ blocks and make 100+ three-pointers in a season. He also became the first rookie since Tim Duncan to put up at least 200 blocks in a season. On 29 March, he put up a then career-high 40 points along with 20 rebounds and seven assists in a 130–126 overtime win over the New York Knicks. He finished the season as the first player in NBA history to put up at least 1,500 points, 250 blocks, and 100 made three-pointers in a season. At 3.6 blocks per game, he also became the youngest player to lead the NBA in blocks for a season at (on 14 April, ). On 6 May 2024, Wembanyama was named the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth rookie to ever win the award by a unanimous vote. He also joined Manute Bol as the only rookies in NBA history to lead the league in blocks per game and total blocks in a season. Wembanyama also finished second place in voting for the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, behind Rudy Gobert. Wembanyama was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the first rookie and youngest player in NBA history to achieve this feat. 2024–25 season: First All-Star selection and season-ending illness On 31 October 2024, Wembanyama had his second career five-by-five, putting up 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and five blocks. He became the third player in NBA history to record multiple five-by-five games, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrei Kirilenko. On 4 November, Wembanyama put up a statline of 24 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three steals and nine blocks, in a 113–104 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. On 9 November, Wembanyama put up 24 points, 16 rebounds, seven blocks, and shot six-of-nine from three-point range in a 111–110 loss to the Utah Jazz. He also became the first player in NBA history to have multiple games with 20+ points, 15+ rebounds, 5+ three-pointers, and 5+ blocks. On 13 November, Wembanyama scored a career-high 50 points, including a career-high eight three-pointers in a 139–130 win over the Washington Wizards. Aged 20 years and 314 days, he also became the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game, as well as the first player in league history with 20 three-pointers and 13 blocks in a three-game span. On 21 December, Wembanyama posted 30 points and tied his career-high with 10 blocks in a 114–94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He became just the sixth player in league history to record 30-plus points and 10-plus blocks in a game, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (5x), David Robinson (3x), Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At 20 years and 352 days old, Wembanyama is the youngest player to ever hit the mark, breaking Dwight Howard’s previous record by nearly two years. He became the first player with four 3-pointers and 10 blocks in a game in NBA history. Wembanyama also had a block in 62 straight games, surpassing the franchise record of 61 set by David Robinson. On 25 December, he made his Christmas Day debut, registering 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks in a 117–114 loss to the New York Knicks. He became the third player in NBA history to score 40+ points and 15+ rebounds in a Christmas game, after Wilt Chamberlain (1959 and 1961) and Nikola Jokić (2022). He also scored the third-most points for a player in his Christmas Day debut, behind Chamberlain (45) and Tracy McGrady (43). On 30 January 2025, Wembanyama was named as reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, his first selection. On 20 February, the Spurs shut Wembanyama down for the remainder of the season after discovering deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. At the time the condition was discovered, he was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and led the NBA with 3.8 blocks in 46 games. 2025–26 season: Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 Before the season, Wembanyama spent ten days studying martial arts at Shaolin Monastery, a Buddhist temple in China where kung fu originated. In his season debut on 22 October 2025, he put up 40 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks in a 125–92 win over the Dallas Mavericks. His 40 points surpassed George Gervin's previous record (39) for the most points scored in a season-opening game in Spurs franchise history. On 30 October, Wembanyama recorded 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 107–101 victory over the Miami Heat. With the win, the Spurs improved to 5–0, marking the best start to a season in franchise history. On 10 November, Wembanyama put up 38 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and six three-pointers made in a 121–117 win over the Chicago Bulls. He became the first player to put up at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five three-pointers made in a game in NBA history. On 12 November, Wembanyama recorded his 4th career triple-double with 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Spurs’ 125–120 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He and Stephon Castle became the first pair of teammates in Spurs history to record triple-doubles in the same game. They also became the fifth duo in NBA history to each produce a 20-point triple-double in a game. On 19 December, Wembanyama put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in a 126–98 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He recorded his 100th consecutive game with at least one block made, joining Dikembe Mutombo and Patrick Ewing as the only players to record a block in at least 100 consecutive games. On 19 January 2026, Wembanyama was named a Western Conference starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive selection and his first as a starter. On 10 February, Wembanyama scored 40 points and collected 12 rebounds in a 136–108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He poured in 37 points in the first half, the highest-scoring half by a Spurs player in the 21st century, and surpassed Tim Duncan in career 40-point games, recording his sixth such performance. Wembanyama also became the third player in the past 50 seasons to score at least 40 points while playing 27 minutes or fewer. On 19 March, Wembanyama scored 34 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added three steals, including a game‑winning jumper with 1.1 seconds left to lift the Spurs to a 101–100 victory over the Phoenix Suns and clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2019. On 1 April, Wembanyama recorded 41 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks in a 127–113 win over the Golden State Warriors. At 22 years and 88 days, he became the youngest player to notch back-to-back 40-point, 15-rebound games and the only player in the past 50 years to record consecutive games with at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. He also tallied 27 points and 13 rebounds in the first half, becoming the first Spurs player with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in any half since play-by-play tracking began in the 1997–98 season. Wembanyama was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the 2025–26 NBA season, becoming the youngest player to ever win it and the first ever player to unanimously win the award in NBA history. On 19 April, Wembanyama made his NBA playoffs debut in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Portland Trail Blazers, registering 35 points, five rebounds and five three-point field goals made in a 111–98 win, setting a franchise record for the most points scored by a Spurs player in their playoff debut, surpassing the previous record set by Tim Duncan. In Game 2, Wembanyama suffered a concussion after tripping and hitting his head. He was ruled out for Game 3. After beating the Trail Blazers in five games, Wembanyama led the Spurs to their first playoff series win since 2017. He put up 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks in Game 4, followed by 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in Game 5. He became the first player since Patrick Ewing in 1994 to put up consecutive double-doubles with at least six blocks in the playoffs. On 4 May, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wembanyama put up a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks in a 104–102 loss. His 12 blocks set the record for the most blocks put up in a playoff game in NBA history. ==National team career ==

Junior national team Wembanyama represented France at the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship in Udine, Italy. In an 80–78 quarterfinal win over Croatia, he recorded 12 points, 21 rebounds and eight blocks. He averaged nine points, 9.6 rebounds and a tournament-leading 5.3 blocks per game, leading France to a silver medal and earning all-tournament team honours. He then competed at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Latvia. Wembanyama averaged 14 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.7 blocks per game, and was named to the all-tournament team after leading France to the silver medal. He recorded 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks in an 83–81 loss to the United States in the final. Wembanyama set the FIBA record for blocks per game in a single tournament. Senior national team Wembanyama was on the preliminary 17-player roster of the French national team for EuroBasket 2022, but was ruled out a month ahead, due to an injury he suffered at the end of the 2021–22 season. He was selected again for the World Cup qualifiers in November. In his debut with the senior team, on 11 November 2022, he scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 90–65 win over Lithuania. 2024 Summer Olympics in 2024 Wembanyama was selected for France to play at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which were held in his native Paris. He had 19 points and 9 rebounds in his Olympic debut in a win against Brazil. Wembanyama helped France reach its second consecutive final, following a quarterfinal win over Canada and semifinal win over Germany, in which they faced the United States. In the final, Wembanyama scored a team-high 26 points, however, the United States pulled away late in the fourth quarter which left France with a silver medal. After the final, Wembanyama was named the tournament's Rising Star, as well as a member of the All-Star Five, following his averages of 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. ==Player profile==

{{quote box Wembanyama is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA prospects in a generation; many publications called him the most anticipated newcomer to the league since LeBron James in 2003. He emerged as one of Europe's top prospects at age 14 and was viewed by analysts as a potential first overall pick in his draft class by age 16. During his final season before becoming eligible for the 2023 NBA draft, he was the consensus number-one pick in draft projections. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would pay "particular attention" to tanking for the 2023 draft, due to the possibility of acquiring a "once-in-a-generation player" in the draft. Measured at in June 2023 and having grown since, with an estimated wingspan, although his height has raised questions about his durability. He often plays on the perimeter and has exceptional mobility and skills for his size, with the ability to handle and shoot the ball like a guard. Wembanyama is a capable three-point shooter and his jump shot is difficult to block because of his length. He is a productive scorer in the paint, with soft touch, a variety of post moves, and excels in the pick and roll. His thin frame and lack of strength have been labelled as weaknesses and encourage opponents to use a physical style of play against him. Although some analysts have noted the unprecedented nature of his game, others have compared Wembanyama to Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. John Hollinger of The Athletic described his game as a combination of Ralph Sampson, Porziņģis, and Dirk Nowitzki. Wembanyama models parts of his game after Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. ==Career statistics==

NBA EuroLeague == Personal life ==

game in Paris in 2023 Wembanyama is represented by agent Bouna Ndiaye of Comsport. His family has a longtime relationship with Ndiaye, whose son was coached by Wembanyama's mother from an early age. Ndiaye advised Wembanyama by the time he was 15 years old and signed him as a client in 2022. Wembanyama was a year ahead for his age in school and attended lycée in agreement with Nanterre 92. He earned his baccalauréat with honours, specialising in earth and life sciences and social and economic sciences. Besides his native French, he speaks English fluently, having learned it himself beginning in middle school by watching videos from American accounts on Instagram and English-language television shows. He enjoys science fiction such as Star Wars, art, and literature. His favourite musical artist is the rapper Alpha Wann. During the 2023 Las Vegas NBA Summer League, Wembanyama and his personal security team were involved in an 'incident' with pop singer Britney Spears. Spears had approached Wembanyama in Vegas and tapped him on the back, leading to Wembanyama's security striking Spears in the face; no charges were filed after the incident. The jersey that Wembanyama wore in his debut game was sold at Sotheby's for a record price for newcomers of $762,000. Wembanyama is an avid chess player, and has played with fans in Washington Square Park, in New York City. In summer 2025, he organized a Hoop Gambit chess tournament, which also included basketball competitions, in his hometown, Le Chesnay. In June 2025, Wembanyama participated in a 10-day retreat at the Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, China for a closed-door martial arts training in Shaolin kung fu. He was seen with the traditional shaved head hairstyle along with the traditional monk robe; he also stated that he is not personally a believer in Buddhism. == Sponsorships ==

Wembanyama has secured several high-profile sponsorship deals including partnerships with Nike, 2K, Fanatics, Barcode, and Louis Vuitton. In July 2023, he became a brand ambassador for the sports drink brand Barcode. While Wembanyama doesn't have his own signature sneaker yet, he helped design his own player exclusive version of the Nike GT Hustle 2, called "The Alien", inspired by his nickname. ==Orders==

• Chevalier in the French Order of Merit: 2024 == See also ==