From Basketball to Chess: Victor Wembanyama enjoys downtime with NYC fans

He put out a call on social media inviting anyone interested to join him, jokingly adding, “How will we know it’s you?” The tweet quickly gained traction, and dozens of fans braved the rain to show up and take part in the unique event. Many had the chance to play chess with the 7-foot-4 phenom himself.

A Surprising Tradition in the Making?

Wembanyama’s interaction with fans comes as part of a whirlwind season for the 20-year-old, who has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. With averages of 29.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks over his last eight games, Wembanyama has helped the Spurs maintain a record over .500. He is currently on track to make his first All-Star appearance in February and is a favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Despite his impressive performance, Wembanyama has maintained a humble attitude, showing no signs of letting his early success go to his head. Although the Spurs won’t be returning to New York this season, his chess gathering might become a new tradition for future Big Apple road trips.

Victor Wembanyama’s Interests Beyond Basketball

Wembanyama’s love for chess is just one of the many interests he has outside of basketball. He’s also a huge Star Wars fan and has spoken about his passion for the game in the past. In a February interview with the San Antonio Express-News, he shared, “It’s something that makes the brain work a little bit. You have to adapt strategy and think about multiple actions and think two or three moves in the future.” 

 

 

In September, he was photographed playing chess with Stanford star Maxime Raynaud, a fellow Paris native, further highlighting his affinity for the game. While it’s unclear just how good Wembanyama is at chess, given his exceptional skills in basketball, it’s safe to assume he’s likely just as dedicated to mastering the chessboard as he is to the court. 

A Future All-Star With Many Interests

Wembanyama’s chess game is just another testament to his well-rounded personality. As he continues to dominate on the court, he remains a figure that fans can relate to, showing that his interests extend far beyond the game of basketball. Whether or not he becomes known for his chess prowess as well is yet to be seen, but if his basketball career is any indication, there’s a good chance he’s already well on his way to mastering the game.