NBA
Victor Wembanyama challenges fans in NYC park
The San Antonio Spurs star was in New York following the Nets game and took the chance to take on the locals at chess.
Christmas in New York is never dull but Victor Wembanyama has had a particularly busy couple of days in NYC. Fresh from leading the scoring for the San Antonio Spurs in a win over the Brooklyn Nets, Wemby was taking on New Yorkers in the park.
But the one-on-one wasn’t on the court, rather it was a game of chess. On Saturday morning Wembanyama issued a challenge to his 359,000 followers on X. “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there”, he wrote.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for him to get a response and within minutes he was taking on local players. Footage shared by the team’s social media account showed the Frenchman braving cold, rainy weather against a fellow chess lover.
Still only in his second season in the league, Wembanyama is already proving to be a game-winner for the Spurs. He’s averaging 25.2 points per game and a staggering 10.1 rebounds. If he continues at this current rate of scoring, he’ll become the youngest center in NBA history to average more than 25 PPG across a season.
Last week he put up a massive 30-point, 10-block performance in a 114-94 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He played just 30 minutes, sitting out the final eight, but the 20-year-old was still the dominant force of the game. It was just the 12th time in the past 50 years that a player has recorded 30 points and 10 blocks in the same game. However no player has managed this feat in fewer minutes than the incredible Wembanyama.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.