Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Issues Request for Chess Partner at NYC Park on Social Media
Mike Chiari@@mikechiari
Featured Columnist IVDecember 28, 2024
San Antonio Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama offered fans the chance of a lifetime on Saturday.
Wembanyama asked for the best places to play chess in New York City in a post on X, and then offered the opportunity to play against him at Washington Square Park in a subsequent post:
Wembanyama was a man of his word, showing up to the park despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions.
KnicksMuse @KnicksMuseWemby pulled up to Washington Square Park in the rain this morning to play chess against some hustlers 🤣<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/PrinceInTheMix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrinceInTheMix</a>) <a href="https://t.co/7F07jP7nKu">https://t.co/7F07jP7nKu</a> <a href="https://t.co/HOQYw4RZEC">pic.twitter.com/HOQYw4RZEC</a>
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport"I don't know. I was just feeling like it."<br><br>-Wemby on why he decided to play chess with fans at Washington Square Park 😅🔥<br><br>(w/ <a href="https://twitter.com/mollyhannahm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mollyhannahm</a>) <a href="https://t.co/JkQYOFEagz">pic.twitter.com/JkQYOFEagz</a>
Afterward, Wembanyama took to social media to call for expanding his Saturday morning adventure into a bigger event involving NBA players:
Wembanyama and the Spurs were in town after facing the New York Knicks on Christmas Day and the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
The 20-year-old Frenchman is in the midst of his second NBA season, and he has quickly become one of the league's biggest and most recognizable stars.
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.
The 7'3" 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.
As dominant as Wembanyama was during his debut campaign, he has been even better this season, 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.
Perhaps most impressively, Wembanyama has helped the Spurs to a 16-15 start, which is good for ninth place in the deep and competitive Western Conference.
Entering this season, the Spurs had posted five consecutive losing campaigns, including 22-60 marks in each of the past two seasons.
Wemby has the Spurs firmly in the playoff mix, and the team only figures to get better as he continues to develop and the front office continues to surround him with more talent.
While Wembanyama feels like a larger-than-life figure, his willingness to spend some time with everyday people in NYC makes him as relatable as any star in the NBA, and will likely serve to increase his popularity even more.
