Wemby fits in one last game in NYC — taking on patrons in chess at Washington Square Park

NEW YORK — By 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the mass of people cleared the southwest corner of Washington Square Park in downtown Manhattan. So had the 7-foot-3 NBA unicorn. The chess tables remained, empty and soaking wet. The remorse of the late-comers lingered in the air.

A man strode quickly to the park with his pre-teen son and asked the question on everyone’s mind as he walked towards the corner of MacDougal Street and West 4th: Is Wemby here? He found nothing and hardly anyone remaining after that morning’s impromptu meet-up.

Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs star and potentially the world’s tallest chess fan, put out the bat signal at 9:36 a.m. The morning after his team waxed the Nets in Brooklyn as he dropped a casual 19 points and six blocks, he wanted to play a few more games in one of the city’s most popular parks. He called for others to join him with a post on X.

“Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyma wrote.

POV: You’re playing chess with @wemby on a Saturday morning in Washington Square Park ♟️🗽 pic.twitter.com/gnxdvPE69l

— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2024

Though Wembanyama, 20, is in just his second NBA season, it was vintage Wemby. He is one of the more eclectic stars in the league. He loves Legos and art and science fiction. This was just another side pursuit.

Despite the pouring rain and the gloomy weather, dozens turned out to the Greenwich Village destination. They weren’t the usual Saturday morning regulars but there were enough to make for an atmosphere. They watched Wembanyama, and some played against him. A camera guy filmed it all. One man who had stuck around the park after Wembanyama left was still gawking at his height. Another man bemoaned that he had missed him after playing in that same spot the night before.

There’s an alien playing chess in Washington Square Park in NYC.

Victor Wembanyama pulled up for a game 👽♟️

🎥 @chesscompic.twitter.com/T2SPrJCGCf

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 28, 2024

Wembanyama already put on a show in New York this week. He went into Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day and dropped 42 points and 18 rebounds on the Knicks, though in a loss. Friday, he created a few highlights in Brooklyn.

While other stars might have closed out their week in the city with a visit to the West 4th court or maybe go uptown to Rucker, Wembanyama gave his visit a unique spin.

Required reading

(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)