Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs 2024-2025 Emirates NBA Cup Game Worn Association Edition Jersey | Double-Double

This away ‘Association Edition’ jersey was worn in the 1st half by Victor Wembanyama on December 3, 2024, during the Emirates NBA Cup, when the San Antonio Spurs played the Phoenix Suns. 

Wemby exploded for 12 points in the third quarter, punctuated by two highlight-reel dunks. On the first, he faced up his defender, spun on the low block, pump-faked, and threw down a left-handed slam. Moments later, Chris Paul lobbed him a pass with his back to the basket, and Wembanyama soared over two defenders for a reverse alley-oop, posterizing Devin Booker in the process. Wemby finished the game with an impressive double-double: 15 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Despite his dominant second half, the Spurs' comeback fell short, losing to the Suns 104-93. 

Born in Le Chesnay, in the Paris region, Wembanyama was destined for greatness at a young age. His mother, Élodie de Fautereau, is a French youth basketball coach and former player who began teaching Wembanyama the game in his early years. At the age of seven Wembanyama began playing for Entente Le Chesnay Versailles, before joining the youth system of the professional French Club, Nanterre 92 at age 10. He drew the attention of Nanterre in 2013 after Michaël Allard, a youth coach for the club, noticed him on the bench at an under-11 game due to his exceptional height, at 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in), initially mistaking him for a coach.

At 15 years old Wembanyama made his professional debut in the EuroCup, becoming the second youngest player to ever play in the cup. He quickly made noise, averaging 15.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks for Nanterre's under-18 team in the Kaunas qualifying tournament at only 16 years old.

In June 2021, at 17-years-old Wembanyama signed with ASVEL of the Pro A and the EuroLeague for which he won his second consecutive "Pro A Best Young Player." Then in July 2022, at only 18, Wemby signed with the Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A. Wembanyama quickly gained recognition from American media after two exhibition games with the Metropolitans 92 against the NBA G League Ignite. Wemby scored 37 and 36 points in the respective games leading the Metropolitans 92 to an easy victory in the 2nd game. Immediately after the NBA announced they would stream all Metropolitans 92 games as Wembanyama had already become one of the most dominant players in French basketball history.

Wembanyama at 18 years old was 2022-2023 Pro A's youngest-ever All-Star Game MVP, youngest-ever league MVP, and was named the Best Defender, Best Scorer, Best Young Player, and Best Blocker. He led the Metropolitans 92 to the finals and finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, leading the Pro A league in each category.

Diving Deeper - The Number 1 Pick

Perhaps LeBron James said it best, "We’re labeling like this unicorn thing—everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years...But he’s more like an alien—no one has seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is on the floor.”

Wemby responded humbly, “First of all, I’m really glad he said that because I didn’t like to be called a unicorn... I like it because it’s just something not from this world. I like being called an alien, yeah. It’s really what I’m working to be—something unique and original.”

On May 16th, 2023, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Draft Lottery for the third time in franchise history. A month later, on June 22, they selected Victor Wembanyama, a 19-year-old professional player from France with a height of 7’4'' and an 8-foot wingspan. His raw natural physical talents were noticeable at age 14, and in just a few years, he was already projected as the #1 draft pick.

As a rookie in the NBA, Wemby earned the 2023-2024 Rookie of the Year award, secured spots on the All-Defensive First Team and All-Rookie First Team, and led the league in blocks. Additionally, he was named to the 2024 French Olympic Team, leading them to a Silver medal. At the time of cataloging, Wembanyama has averaged a double-double in his career with 21 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game.