Victor Wembanyama, often called “Wemby,” has rapidly risen to professional basketball stardom as a versatile San Antonio Spurs NBA player. 

Born and raised on January 4, 2004, in Le Chesnay, France, Wembanyama is considered one of his generation’s most outstanding basketball prospects. His exceptional talent was acknowledged when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. 

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Standing tall at a remarkable height of 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters), he shares the title of the tallest active NBA player with Boban Marjanović.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Victor Wembanyama
Known As	Victor Wembanyama
Nickname	Wemby
Birthdate	4 January 2004
Age	19 Years Old
Birthplace	Le Chesnay, France
Current Residence	France
Father	Félix Wembanyama
Mother	Elodie de Fautereau
Grandfather	Michel de Fautereau
Grandmother	Marie Christine
Siblings	Eve Wembanyama, Oscar Wembanyama
Nationality	French
Marital Status	Unmarried
Relationship Status	Single
Built	Athletic
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	Black
Height	7 ft 3 in/2.21 m/221 cm
Weight	230 lbs.
Ethnicity	Congolese-French
Horoscope	Capricorn
Religion	Christian
Profession	Basketball Player
Education	Not Known (Wembanyama’s high school)
Current Team	San Antonio Spurs
NBA Draft	2023
Playing Career	2019-Present
Position	Power Forward/Center
Played For	Nanterre 92, ASVEL, Metropolitans 92, San Antonio Spurs
Net Worth	$1.5 Million
Salary	Not Known
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter

Victor Wembanyama Early Life and Family

Victor Wembanyama was born into an athletically inclined family. His father, Félix Wembanyama, hails from Congo and was a track and field athlete, competing in long jump, high jump, and triple jump events. On the other hand, his mother, Elodie de Fautereau, is a former basketball player and a basketball coach. Victor’s family boasts impressive heights, with his father standing at 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) and his mother at 1.91 meters (6 feet 3 inches).

Sports run in Victor’s genes, as his older sister, Eve, pursues a professional basketball career, and his younger brother, Oscar, has also dabbled in basketball and handball at the youth level. Even his grandparents, Michel de Fautereau and Marie Christine, were involved in professional basketball.

Victor’s journey into basketball began early as he initially dabbled in football as a goalkeeper and practiced judo before fully dedicating himself to basketball. His mother, a youth team coach, introduced him to the sport. Victor joined Entente Le Chesnay Versailles at seven before entering the youth system of Nanterre 92 at age 10. 

His extraordinary height was evident even then, as he stood at 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches) by age 11. His potential was spotted by Michaël Allard, a youth coach for Nanterre, who initially mistook him for a coach during a youth game.

Victor Wembanyama Professional Career

Nanterre 92 (2019–2021)

Victor Wembanyama’s professional journey kicked off with Nanterre 92 during the 2019–20 season, where he gained his initial professional experience under the guidance of head coach Pascal Donnadieu. While his playing time was limited in the senior team, he primarily competed in LNB Espoirs, the French under-21 league, and also represented the under-18 team.

His debut in the EuroCup on October 29, 2019, made him the second-youngest player to participate in the tournament at just 15 years, nine months, and 25 days old, second only to Stefan Petković. Wembanyama’s standout performance in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament was especially notable, where he set records with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and nine blocks in a single game. 

During the 2020–21 season, Wembanyama divided his time between Nanterre’s senior and under-21 teams. He also signed an agreement to play for Centre Fédéral in the NM1. His performances garnered attention, earning him recognition as the Pro A Best Young Player. 

ASVEL (2021–2022)

In June 2021, Victor Wembanyama inked a three-year contract with ASVEL, marking his entry into the Pro A and EuroLeague. He faced initial setbacks, including illness and injuries, but demonstrated his potential during the season. 

Despite some interruptions due to injuries, he contributed significantly to the team. His notable accomplishments included being selected to the LNB All-Star Game and making his EuroLeague debut.

Metropolitans 92 (2022–2023)

Victor Wembanyama’s journey continued with Metropolitans 92 in July 2022, where he sought opportunities for development under the guidance of head coach Vincent Collet. His U.S. debut against NBA G League Ignite in Las Vegas gained significant attention, and he showcased his skills impressively during these exhibition games.

In the 2022–23 Pro A season, he emerged as a dominant force in the league. His spectacular performances earned him the Pro A MVP Award, Best Defender, Best Scorer, Best Young Player, and Best Blocker. His statistics in the regular season were astounding, with averages of 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game.

San Antonio Spurs (2023–present)

On June 22, 2023, Victor Wembanyama reached a significant milestone in his career as the Spurs picked him as the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. This achievement marked him as the first French player and the second European player ever to be drafted first overall. He joined the prestigious ranks of the Spurs as the third player in the franchise’s history to be selected as the first overall pick.

National Team Career

Victor Wembanyama has also made his mark on the international stage. He represented France in various youth tournaments, earning recognition and awards. Notably, he set a FIBA record for blocks per game in a match at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.

At the senior national team level, Wembanyama debuted, showcasing his talent and contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Net Worth & Contracts

As of September 2023, Victor Wembanyama’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million, primarily from his burgeoning basketball career. In addition to his regular basketball earnings, he has secured brand endorsement deals, albeit being selective about the companies he partners with. 

His agents project that he could sign a shoe contract exceeding $100 million, potentially surpassing LeBron James’ record-breaking deal with Nike.

Unknown Facts About Victor Wembanyama

• Victor comes from a family deeply involved in sports, with his grandmother, Marie Christine, also having played sports during her days.

• He has led his team at the youth level to win two silver medals, including at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup 202.

• Victor models parts of his game after NBA stars Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Victor Wembanyama’s 3-point percentage?

Victor boasts an impressive 3-point percentage of 53.3%.

What size shoe does Victor Wembanyama wear?

Victor Wembanyama wears a size 20.5 (US).