Wembanyama explains why he randomly decided to play chess with fans in NY park

If you were wandering around the streets of New York City on Saturday morning, you may have noticed something very tall.

No, not the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty, 7ft 3in NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama, who was casually playing chess against fans in Washington Square Park.

The San Antonio Spurs sensation and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year hit the streets of NYC after putting out the word he was in the mood for a game of chess.

“What are the best spots to play chess in NYC ??,” the French phenom posted on X.

“Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? I’m there,” he added.

To the surprise of fans, Wemby did indeed pull up in the less-than-ideal weather conditions. He was photographed sat on a sodden park bench making his moves as he tried to get the better of his various opponents.

He also posed for a photo with all of the fans who showed up to watch him in action.

Afterwards, Wemby was asked what prompted him to go to the park on his day off and play chess.

“I don’t know. I was just feeling like it,” he said.

“That’s enough of a reason. It was fun.

“I lost against two pros but I won against my brother.”

He later took to X: “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner.”

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Wembanyama is in The Big Apple this week after taking on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.

He dropped 42 points on his Christmas debut to go with 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a 117-114 San Antonio loss.

The 20-year-old became the third player in NBA history after Wilt Chamberlain (1959 and 1961) and Nikola Jokic (2022) to score 40-plus points with 15-plus rebounds in a Christmas game.

His 42-point performance also ranked third in NBA history for a player making his Christmas Day debut behind Chamberlain (45) and Tracy McGrady (43).

Wemby was a dominant force during his rookie campaign after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2023.

The towering big man led the league in blocks and finished second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, while also earning unanimous Rookie of the Year honors.

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As a rookie, Wemby averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, 1.8 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc.

However, this year he has been even better, averaging 25.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 3.9 assists, 3.4 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal, while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from deep.

Crucially, though, he has the Spurs competing again after they went 22-60 in the previous two campaigns.

The Spurs are 16-15 to start the season, good enough for ninth in the loaded Western Conference.

Wemby returns to action on Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.