Victor Wembanyama Bio: NBA, Family & Endorsements

A French basketball player who is considered one of the greatest prospects of his generation Victor Wembanyama currently plays for Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A.

The 20 years old young basketball prodigy began his career with Nanterre 92 in 2019 and moved to ASVEL two years later.

Coming from an illustrious athletic background, the potential NBA’s next big thing showcases exceptional skills in the league and represents the French national basketball team.                               

With an instinctive talent and a blend of power and determination, this athlete embodies all the ingredients necessary to be the one.

Let’s explore!!

Quick Facts

Early Life & Family

One of the greatest prospects of his generation, Victor Wembanyama, was born on January 4, 2003, in Le Chesnay, France, to Felix Wembanyama and Elodie de Fautereau.

He hails from an extraordinary lineage deeply rooted in athleticism. His father is of Congolese descent and excelled in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump, instilling a passion for sports in his son.

Felix himself stands 1.98 meters tall and has played an essential role in shaping Victor’s career.

Meanwhile, Victor’s mother is a former basketball player and was the one who introduced him to the game of basketball.

Standing 1.91 meters herself, Fautereau’s own basketball background has further influenced Victor’s skills.

Moreover, Victor’s grandfather Michel de Fautereau also played professional basketball.

Victor grew up with his two siblings; an older sister named Eve and a younger brother named Oscar.

Eve is a professional basketball player, while Oscar has shown remarkable talent in both handball and basketball at the youth level.

How It Began?

Victor played soccer as a goalkeeper and also practiced judo as a kid until his mother introduced him to the sport of basketball, which would ultimately become his passion.

At 7, he joined Entente Le Chesnay Versailles but later transitioned to the youth system of Nanterre 92 at 10.

Before his stellar and raw talent, his height played an essential role in catching the attention of Nanterre in 2013.

Interestingly his exceptional height of 1.80 meters led the club reps initially take him for a coach.

This unexpected encounter marked the commencement of Victor’s basketball journey.

Career

In February 2018, Victor was loaned to FB Barcelona for the Minicopa del Rey, an under-14 tournament in Spain.

Leading his team to a third-place finish, he proved his enormous potential and gathered significant attention from basketball enthusiasts from all around the world.

Despite the opportunity to continue his career with Barcelona, Victor declined, citing a lack of sufficient challenges from the coaching staff.

He gained his first professional experience with the Nanterre 92 senior team in the 2019-2020 season.

While there, Victor played under the head coach Pascal Donnadieu, receiving limited playing time in two games.

He was the second youngest player after Stefan Petkovic to play in the EuroCup at 15 years, nine months, and 25 days.

He opted to leave Nanterre after the 2020-21 season and joined ASVEL of the Pro A and the EuroLeague on 29 June 2022.

Victor was on a three-year contract with the team but opted out of his contract after a season.

He then joined his current team Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A, and signed a two-year contract on 4 July 2022.

Highlights & Awards

Victor is yet to make his mark in the NBA, but he has already achieved much in his nation. Here are some of the achievements of the young NBA prospect.

• LNB All-Star Game MVP (2022)
• Pro A champion (2022)
• 2× LNB All-Star (2021, 2022)
• 2× Pro A Best Young Player (2021, 2022)

NBA Buzz

All eyes are on the 2.21 meters giant, Victor Wembanyama, leading up to June’s 2023 NBA Draft.

Dubbed a generational talent, the 20-year-old displayed his talent and captivated basketball fans during a two-game exhibition in October 2022 against G League Ignite.

In the presence of more than 200 NBA executives and scouts, Victor left no doubt about his stellar abilities.

He put on a show with a complete skill set, effortlessly creating his shot off the dribble and running the fast break.

The French giant proved to be a disruptive force at the rim with an incredible 8-foot wingspan.

Official Declaration

Victor, the projected No. 1 pick, officially declared for the 2023 NDB Draft on April 21. He has already submitted his paperwork to the league official.

He is the most anticipated prospect since the one and only LeBron James, making the NBA Draft lottery on May 16.

San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons are the most likely top dogs to land him based on the 2022-23 regular season standings.

Net Worth & Contracts

The highly touted NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama’s net worth as of April 2024 is $1.5 million.

All his net fortune can be attributed to his professional basketball career.

Aside from his regular basketball income, he earns well from his brand endorsement deals.

However, the presumptive top pick of the 2023 NBA draft is quite picky about his brand deals.

According to his agent Bouna Ndiaye, he has been turning down “rich” offers from companies.

The anticipation surrounding Victor Wembanyama extends beyond his NBA prospects, as his agents project a potential shoe contract exceeding $100 million even before he sets foot on an NBA court.

If it happens, it will surpass the record-breaking deal of LeBron, who signed a seven-year, $90 million contract with Nike, which remains unmatched to this day.

Considering inflation, LeBron’s contract would be valued at approximately $146 million in 2023. However, Victor’s potential to obscure this record in actual dollars speaks volumes about the extraordinary buzz surrounding this generational talent.

Unknown Facts About Victor Wembanyama

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)