Inside The Spurs

'A Renaissance Man': Victor Wembanyama Is More Than Just a Basketball Star

Ahead of his likely No. 1 overall selection, Victor Wembanyama is set to bring more than just skills on the court to San Antonio and the Spurs.

Matt Guzman

'A Renaissance Man': Victor Wembanyama Is More Than Just a Basketball Star
'A Renaissance Man': Victor Wembanyama Is More Than Just a Basketball Star /
In this story:

Above all else, San Antonio is known for its culture. 

The city is home to more than 50 art galleries, hundreds of local restaurants and proudly supports its local artists and culinary greats, but there is one defining factor that stands separate from everything. 

San Antonio has just one NBA team, and makes sure to show its love to the San Antonio Spurs whenever it can — regardless of their record. 

After winning the NBA Draft Lottery, earning the right to draft the No. 1 overall prospect Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio had something to celebrate instantly, knowing the kind of change the 7-4 center was set to bring to the city. 

But it turns out that Wembanyama may be an even better fit for the Spurs than previously thought — specifically on the culture front.

Wembanyama is being deemed "A Renaissance Man" ahead of his Spurs season debut, after it was revealed that the center has an artistic side he often taps into. 

Every night before he goes to sleep, Wembanyama sets time aside to read, known to be a science fiction fan. He also enjoys visiting art galleries, where he can spend time on other things beside basketball — though he does have to bend down to see some of his favorite exhibits. 

The French big man even compares his own game of basketball to art, bringing something he loves into his biggest passion. 

"Each line, each dot [on a clipboard playbook] is a pass or a basket during a game," Wembanyama said. "Every game is an artwork in of itself." 

Now less than two weeks away from the NBA Draft, the Spurs are set to bring in a true prospect with a love for the game, and for art. 

It's been clear that the French center is different from any other prospects or players, but his hobbies prove that. Wembanyama even juggles tennis balls before games to warm up — and if every game is artwork, then Wembanyama could become the Spurs' own Pablo Picasso by the end of his career. 

The 2023 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Coverage on ESPN will begin at 7 p.m. CST. 

 You can follow Matt Guzman on Twitter and Instagram.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Spurs? Click Here.

Follow Inside the Spurs on Twitter.

Follow Inside the Spurs on Facebook.

Want even more San Antonio Spurs news? Check out the Si.com team page here.

Published
Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

Home/News