Young basketball stars from Europe are making a big impact in the NBA, and Victor Wembanyama is at the center of fans’ attention. At 7’3.5”, Wembanyama stands out for his size and skill, but his journey has not been easy.
After a tough injury ended his sophomore season early, fans are watching his every move, both on and off the court. His story shows how global the NBA has become, and why new talent like Wembanyama matters for the future of the game.
NBA Fans Fear for Victor Wembanyama After Viral Clip
Wembanyama is from France, a country where soccer is the most popular sport. Their biggest star, Kylian Mbappé, is known around the world for soccer, not basketball. There are no top soccer players who come close to Wembanyama’s height. Still, being tall does not mean you cannot try new things, but it is not always easy to match the skills of famous soccer players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimović, or Wayne Rooney.
Recently, Wembanyama played a friendly soccer game in Japan, and tried to score with a bicycle kick. He missed the ball and fell on his back. Wembanyama laughed it off, but many fans on social media were worried. The video of his attempt quickly went viral, and fans had a lot to say.
“Spurs GM just passed out watching Wemby try to bicycle kick,” one fan said.
Spurs GM just passed out watching Wemby try to bicycle kick
pic.twitter.com/zBnll3Ar4M— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 3, 2025
“Wemby chill,” one user noted. “Very un athletic,” another reacted. “I guess he is all healed from his blood clots,” one remarked.
“Chet just won his first ring while Wemby’s playing soccer in Asia,” a fan observed. “Take it easy Wemby!” another commented.
These reactions show how much fans care about Wembanyama’s health and future. After his season ended early because of deep vein thrombosis, many are nervous when they see him trying risky moves off the court. At the same time, his willingness to try new things, and even fail, shows his personality and why he is so popular.
Victor Wembanyama Opens Up About Playing in the NBA
Wembanyama is now traveling in Asia as part of his world tour. Last week, he appeared at Fanatics Fest with LeBron James, Kai Cenat, and Tom Brady for a live interview on “The Shop.” During the show, host Maverick Carter asked Wembanyama about his experience in the U.S. and whether it matched his expectations.
“Yeah, it’s what I expected and more. You know, coming from Europe, basketball in France is not as big as here. And it’s the best country here to be an athlete by far. Obviously, by far,” Wembanyama said.
“Obviously, it’s hard being away from the family. And my life is different from even all the top American prospects. But hey, I mean, I get the best life. I mean, I’m so happy, and I know it’s a sacrifice you gotta make being away from my family,” he added.
During the interview, Wembanyama was asked to guess how many more seasons LeBron James would play in the NBA. He said two seasons, but James did not confirm or deny the guess. This moment showed how much respect Wembanyama has for the league’s veterans, and how he is learning from them as he grows into his role as a young NBA star.
