Latest news with #Wembanyama
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Victor Wembanyama may want the NBA to distance itself from Karl Malone
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama made a very noteworthy decision on social media Friday afternoon and it could make waves around the NBA. Wembanyama, who is currently recovering from a blood clot that sidelined him for the second half of last season, was recently cleared to return from his injury. He caught some attention based on some of his social media activity this week. The NBA made a post wishing a happy birthday to former NBA star Karl Malone. Here is what we wrote in 2023 regarding allegations that Malone impregnated his 13-year-old neighbor when he was 20: Blood tests showed a 99.3 percent probability Malone was the father of Demetress Bell, per AP. The family could have filed criminal charges against Malone for impregnating a minor because, in Louisiana, an individual could not consent to sex until the age of 17. While statutory rape could have carried a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, Malone was a 'neighborhood kid', so they didn't press charges. His actions are absolutely heinous and should make it hard for the NBA to look themselves in the mirror after honoring this man two years in a row. But the story doesn't stop there for Malone and his awful shortcomings. When the child's grandparents filed a lawsuit in 1985 requesting $200 a week to help their daughter raise their son, Malone did not respond, despite his career earnings topping $104 million. He was ordered to pay $125 per week in child support, but he appealed, eventually reaching a settlement that did not require him to acknowledge that he was the father. It seems more than possible that Wembanyama is aware of the history surrounding Malone. More: The NBA should be ashamed for honoring Karl Malone during All-Star Weekend He reposted DJ J. Strand reacting to the birthday wishes with a meme video of content creator Lil Rodney Son saying "Oh no, see, that's what we not about to do." Also in the video responding to the post about Malone, Lil Rodney Son is on camera saying someone belongs "under the jail" for their actions. To be fair, we don't know exactly why Wembanyama chose to repost this. Remember: Reposts do not equal endorsements (which is now officially the case, as decided by a judge) so unless Wembanyama directly says something about the matter, we do not know his feelings. But many, including Complex, are speculating that Wemby would like the league to distance itself from Malone. Even this, though, is more than most (if not all) prominent basketball players have said about this difficult topic. So perhaps just the speculation that the rising star wants no part of Malone is enough for the NBA to listen.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former NBA Star Fires Shade at Spurs' Victor Wembanyama
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Over the last couple of years, San Antonio Spurs young star big man Victor Wembanyama has been one of the most talked about players in the NBA. Truthfully, the league has never seen anything quite like Wembanyama. From a physical perspectively, he is an absolute unicorn. His skill-set is also unique. Unfortunately, last year in his second NBA season, he was forced out of action due to blood clot issues. Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after a 131-121 victory against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after a 131-121 victory against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo byHeading into year three, the Spurs are once again a team that many think could make a jump. That will depend on what kind of season Wembanyama can put together. Read more: Lakers' Marcus Smart Sends Bold Luka Doncic Message With that being said, one former NBA star spoke out with harsh shade about Wembanyama. The shade came from a place of honesty, but it was a still a very critical take. During a segment of his "520 Podcast," former star point guard Jeff Teague made it clear that he would take Paolo Banchero over Wembanyama at this point. He also went on to throw shade at the San Antonio center. "I'm taking him over Wemby, I'm taking P5 over Wemby," Teague said. "Right now, I'm taking him over Wemby, bro. The reason I say he's better than Wemby is because Wemby ain't really done nothing. We just like Wemby because he's a freak. He's a phenomenal player, but I'm just going to go with what I see." Last season with the Spurs, Wembanyama played in 46 games. He averaged 24.3 points per game to go along with 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from the three-point line. To compare, Banchero appeared in 46 games as well. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and shot 45.2 percent from the floor and 32 percent from three-point range. Read more: Report: Warriors Could Look to Sign Sleeper Free Agent Guard On the outside looking in, Wembanyama did produce better numbers. Teague is entitled to his opinion, but it's a very debatable take. It will be interesting to see what the 21-year-old big man has in store for the 2025-26 season. Coming back from a scary health situation, he'll be looking to make up for lost time and to lead San Antonio back to the playoffs. Before long, he could make Teague completely change his opinion if he plays up to his full potential. For more on the San Antonio Spurs and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle
The post Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle appeared first on ClutchPoints. Despite missing the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, and an opportunity to face Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama's future remains bright. Many predict Wembanyama's trajectory to surpass Gobert's impressive achievement as a four-time Defensive Player of the Year recipient. Wembanyama was ruled out for the season due to blood clots, which took his name out of running for DPOY. Cleveland Cavs All-Star Evan Mobley won it, taking the crown away from Gobert, who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. However, during the offseason, Rudy Gobert found himself in a different kind of battle with Wembanyama, and it was off the basketball court, and in front of a chess board, per NBA on ESPN's X, formerly Twitter. The two French centers were seen taking in a game of chess overseas. No word on which player won but it was cool to see two of the best defensive NBA bigs go head-to-head in a different kind of battle. Fortunately for Spurs fans, Wembanyama is expected to return for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, he revealed recently, per ESPN's Shams Charania. 'I'm officially cleared to return. It just happened — I got the green light from the Spurs' medical staff just a few hours ago (last Friday). Phew, I'll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again,' Wembanyama said. In his second NBA season, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points on 47.6% shooting, including 35.2% from deep, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, a league-leading 3.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game last season. Victor Wembanyama reveals his long-term Spurs plans Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama hopes to play his entire NBA career with the team that drafted him. The 21-year-old phenom has the potential to become one of the most dynamic centers in league history. At 7-foot-3, Wembanyama's already a dominating defender, who can score from the outside, put the ball on the floor, and attack as a 24+ point scorer after winning Rookie of the Year in 2024. Wembanyama hopes to only wear a Spurs uniform throughout his career, he said, per Maxine Aubin's X, formerly Twitter. 'I know that not every player in the NBA has the same ambitions, but it's obviously my dream to spend my entire career with a single franchise. Here. In San Antonio,' Wembanyama said. Between the Spurs drafting Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and acquiring Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornets via free agency, the Spurs will look to take a significant step in their growth as a young squad. Related: San Antonio Spurs' perfect move in 2025 NBA offseason Related: Spurs' Dylan Harper flaunts new Nike signature logo
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Antonio Spurs' perfect move in 2025 NBA offseason
The post San Antonio Spurs' perfect move in 2025 NBA offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints. The 2024-25 season may not have worked out as the San Antonio Spurs had hoped, with Victor Wembanyama's season-ending injury taking the wind out of the team's sails. Nonetheless, they still lucked out in the draft lottery, winning the second overall pick, and they used that selection add Dylan Harper, the talented guard out of Rutgers, to their burgeoning young core. The Spurs are preferring to take the slow approach when it comes to building around Wembanyama. They are not yet going all-in; instead, they have decided to try and develop their young players and have them grow alongside each other — similar to how the Oklahoma City Thunder coalesced into the powerhouse, championship-winning team they are today. Only time will tell if this is the correct approach. But with Wembanyama being just 21 years of age, there's no reason to rush anything in this regard. Given how many good moves the Spurs made this offseason, it's hard to pinpoint just one perfect move. But their handling of this particular situation shows that the team has a specific roster-building vision that they aren't just about to compromise despite the availability of this certain superstar. Spurs decide not to pull the trigger on a Kevin Durant trade Make no mistake about it, Kevin Durant remains one of the best players in the association. He is an ageless wonder who defies modern medicine; despite already being 36 years of age with a history of significant lower-body injuries, he still averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games last season on an insane 64.2 true shooting percentage. Durant would have given the Spurs an incredible superstar trio that would have had them among the favorites to land an outright playoff spot, even in a loaded Western Conference. He is a perfect fit alongside De'Aaron Fox, a man who can get to the rim at will (who also has the clutch gene), and Wembanyama, a versatile three-level scorer who is the most impactful rim protector in today's NBA despite his youth. Durant also has some defensive utility, as he can help protect the rim from the weakside and he's still fairly mobile, even at his relatively advanced age. He will flourish as the team's number-one option on offense, especially when the team has the role players to be of support to him and to enable him to be at his best. The problem, however, is that acquiring Durant would have required the Spurs to give up some significant pieces. According to reports, the Phoenix Suns, a team that's in desperate need of a youthful infusion, were demanding that the Spurs give up Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, three first-round picks (including the 14th overall selection of this year's draft), as well as one of Jeremy Sochan or reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, in exchange for Durant. Suffice to say, there was no way the Spurs were going to pony up that many assets, even for a player like Durant. Durant is going to be 37 years of age before the start of next season, and as much of an ageless wonder as he is, one has to be realistic and determine that he's not going to be a part of San Antonio's core for very long. Meanwhile, Castle or Sochan or Vassell, while they may never reach the level Durant is at, are young pieces who will be staying with the team for quite a longer time. The Thunder have also shown, in their roster-building model, that giving time to their young players to develop into the players they can be and then simply deciding to make changes when the time is right (such as trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso) is the way. This is not to say that the Spurs should hold on to those young players for dear life. If the right superstar player becomes available, then they should go for him. Someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo would be perfect, although the Milwaukee Bucks would want to hold on to Antetokounmpo like their life depended on it. But the Spurs were right in not going all-out for Durant. They're better off waiting instead of jumping the gun. They say good things come to those who wait, and San Antonio is putting that to the test. San Antonio adds perfect Victor Wembanyama complements Building a roster around Wembanyama has to be one of the most fun tasks for a general manager. His defensive excellence and all-around offensive game allows executives to go in whatever direction they want. And the Spurs are looking to bolster their defensive identity this offseason, as evidenced by their aggressive signing of Luke Kornet, who was picked up on a four-year, $41 million contract. Kornet has become a legitimate NBA rotation piece, as he has finally figured out how to utilize his 7'2″ frame to be one of the best deterrents in the league. He may not be the most mobile, but his sheer length allows him to be a defensive menace — even when he's far away from the player he's defending. He made the Kornet Contest one of the most viral yet effective moves in NBA history; this is when he jumps despite being far away from the jump-shooter to try and prevent them from seeing the rim. The numbers don't lie; this move works. A Kornet-Wembanyama frontcourt would make it close to impossible for opposing teams to score near the hoop. And when the Spurs close down the paint, they won't need to send much help defense — allowing them to remain stuck to opposing shooters on the perimeter. This is without even going into detail on the potential of Carter Bryant to be one of the best defenders in the NBA. Bryant moves his feet like a seasoned veteran, keeping in stride with opposing ballhandlers. He's 6'6″ with a 6'11' wingspan, and he has the makings of someone who'll be having a long NBA career — especially if his jumpshot develops. Kelly Olynyk is also a good addition. It cost the Spurs two young guards in Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, but Olynyk's ballhandling, playmaking, and shooting for a big man also allows the Spurs to get creative with their lineups around Wembanyama. Related: Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle Related: Spurs' Dylan Harper flaunts new Nike signature logo
LeMonde
21-07-2025
- Sport
- LeMonde
Wembanyama mixes brains and bounce in hometown 'Hoop Gambit' tournament
Victor Wembanyama is a professional basketball player, but that's not all. Sidelined from the court since February due to a deep vein thrombosis – a clot blocking blood flow – in his right shoulder and ruled out of competing in the EuroBasket tournament in August with France, the San Antonio Spurs center has used this forced break to focus on personal and non-sporting projects. His most recent: a spiritual journey to a Shaolin temple in China, where the 21-year-old learned the basics of kung fu. It was a formative experience, both physically and mentally. Since then, the French international has swapped his monk's robe for the responsibilities of an event organizer. On Sunday, July 20, the Olympic silver medalist was back in his hometown Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, in the outskirts of Paris, to launch the first edition of his own tournament, dubbed "Hoop Gambit." The event featured a basketball competition (in two formats: one-on-one and 3×3) as well as chess games, another passion of Wembanyama. In December 2024, he publicly expressed his enthusiasm for this game of strategy, inviting his followers to challenge him to an impromptu match at Washington Square Park in New York City. Two radically different atmospheres This Sunday, nearly 150 people between the ages of 5 and 91 gathered at the Pierre-Curvat Gym to take part in the very first chess tournament organized by "Wemby." In the room, silence prevailed. The players stared intently at their chessboards, fully focused.
