Are you interested to know some really fun facts about Victor Wembanyama?
Born on January 4, 2004, in Le Chesnay, France, this young talent stands tall at an impressive 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters), making his physical presence on the court quite hard to ignore.
This towering stature is matched by a remarkable skill set that has been catching the attention of basketball enthusiasts not only in France but also in America and beyond.
In the NBA draft of 2023, Wembanyama made a massive splash by being selected as the 1st overall pick in the 1st round.
The San Antonio Spurs saw his potential and chose him to join their team, marking a pivotal moment in the young French basetball player’s career. This draft selection is a testament to his talent and the bright future that lies ahead.
RELATED READ: Top French Athletes Participating in 2024 Paris Olympics
Beyond his physical attributes, Victor Wembanyama’s commitment to improving his skills and adapting to different aspects of the game is what sets this young Frenchman apart.
His impressive physical traits and the chance to develop within a supportive team point toward his ability to make a significant mark in the world of basketball. Basketball fans are looking forward to watching him grow and add to the game.
Keep reading to learn more fun facts about Victor Wembanyama.
Things you'll find in this article
- 11 Fun Facts About Victor Wembanyama
- 1. Victor Wembanyama’s family has a strong sports background
- 2. His standing reach is nearly 10 feet
- 3. His wingspan is an astonishing 8 feet
- 4. He has played for 4 teams since he started playing in 2019
- 5. He used to play football and practice judo before he became serious about basketball
- 6. His video showcasing his skills against two French basketball stars went viral
- 7. He got his baccalauréat degree with honors
- 8. Several milestones were achieved when he got drafted in the NBA
- 9. He taught himself English
- 10. He scored only 9 points during his NBA Summer League debut game
- 11. His bodyguard struck Britney Spears in the face
11 Fun Facts About Victor Wembanyama
1. Victor Wembanyama’s family has a strong sports background
Victor Wembanyama’s parents are tall, with his dad being 6 feet and 6 inches and his mom 6 feet and 3 inches.
His dad, Félix, was a track and field athlete involved in high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Elodie, his mom, not only coaches basketball but used to play it, too. She taught him how to play basketball. Eve, his sister, has established herself as a professional basketball player.
On the other hand, his younger brother Oscar has also been actively engaged in sports, having participated in both basketball and handball leagues.
Even his grandparents were into sports – his maternal grandfather played pro basketball and is maternal grandmother was also a cager.
2. His standing reach is nearly 10 feet
Victor Wembanyama is quite the standout with his amazing standing reach of almost 10 feet! With those numbers, it’s no surprise that he can easily block shots. Actually, his reach is so impressive that he hardly needs to jump to score, block, or grab a rebound.
In a game where even the smallest differences can make a big impact, Wembanyama’s impressive standing reach stands out as his special superpower. This awesome ability gives him a one-of-a-kind view of the court, helping him stay ahead in the game.
3. His wingspan is an astonishing 8 feet
Wembanyama made his NBA debut as one of the tallest players in the league. He stands at an impressive 7 feet 3 and a half inches (2.22 meters) without shoes, and his wingspan is estimated to be around 8 feet (2.44 meters).
It is said that Wembanyama is able to stand on the ground and can “pretty much” reach the rim with his feet. However, this remarkable combination of height and wingspan is both a blessing and a question mark.
While his towering presence instantly sets him apart, it also raises inquiries about how effectively he can adapt his skills to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the NBA.
4. He has played for 4 teams since he started playing in 2019
Since Wembanyama began his professional basketball career in 2019, he has already made an impact by playing for four different teams.
Starting from 2019 until 2021, he showcased his skills with Nanterre 92. From 2021 to 2022, he continued to hone his talents with ASVEL. In the following year, 2022 to 2023, he found himself wearing the colors of Metropolitans 92.
In the most recent chapter of his career, beginning in June 2023 and continuing to the present, he took on a new adventure by joining the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. This move brought him to the international stage, showcasing his potential and versatility on an even bigger platform.
5. He used to play football and practice judo before he became serious about basketball
Before becoming a basketball star, Wembanyama tried his hand at soccer as a goalkeeper and even spent time practicing judo.
Eventually, he decided to channel his focus and energy into basketball, and that’s where he found his passion and success. It’s pretty cool how he explored different sports before discovering his true calling in the one that fits him perfectly!
In October 2020, something really cool happened to Victor Wembanyama. He had a viral video where he showed off his basketball skills in a friendly two-on-two game a basketball game with his skills.
And guess what? He was playing against none other than Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier! It was a big deal because Wembanyama got to flex his talents against some really well-known players.
7. He got his baccalauréat degree with honors
Wembanyama was a smart young man who went to school a year ahead of his peers. After he finished high school, he aced all the important stuff, and got his baccalauréat with top marks. He majored in earth and life sciences as well as social and economic sciences.
8. Several milestones were achieved when he got drafted in the NBA
When Victor Wembamyama joined the NBA, he achieved some impressive feats. He became the very first Frenchman to be chosen as the top pick in the draft.
In addition, he’s also the second European player to achieve this, with Italian cager Andrea Bargnani being the first in 2006.
On top of that, he joined an elite group in the Spurs’ history as their third player to be the first overall pick, following in the footsteps of David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
9. He taught himself English
Wembanyama realized that in order to pursue a career in the NBA, he needed to be really good at English, beyond what he had learned in school. So in middle school, he took it upon himself to learn the language. To achieve this, he watched English-language TV shows and videos from American Instagram accounts.
10. He scored only 9 points during his NBA Summer League debut game
Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Summer League debut in Las Vegas didn’t quite meet expectations. He had a bit of a tough time, managing to score only 9 points, grab 8 rebounds, and block 5 shots. He made only 2 out of 13 shots. The crowd who came to see him play couldn’t help but discuss his abilities as a ball screener.
In the game, Wembanyama faced tough competition from the No. 2 pick of the 2023 draft, Brandon Miller from Charlotte. While neither of them had a standout performance, Brandon Miller scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, showing better speed and accuracy on the court.
11. His bodyguard struck Britney Spears in the face
During the 2023 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the young French basketball superstar and his security team were involved in an incident with pop singer Britney Spears.
According to reports, Spears approached Wembanyama and tapped him on the back. In response, his security team struck Spears in the face. Despite this, no charges were filed following the incident
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.