Image Source: X – NBA.com
[Saba Sports News] Victor Wembanyama stepped away from basketball on Saturday after the San Antonio Spurs wrapped up back-to-back road games in New York, trying his hand at a different kind of competition: chess.
It all began on Friday when the Spurs rookie took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask fans for the best chess spots in New York City. The following morning, Wembanyama announced his location and issued a public challenge.
“Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square Park to play chess? I’m there,” he wrote.
When asked about his impromptu chess session, Wembanyama explained, “I don’t know. I was just feeling like it. That’s enough of a reason. It was a lot of fun. I learned a lot.”
Wembanyama admitted to losing games against two professional chess players but managed to secure a win against his younger brother, Oscar Wembanyama, who has become a viral sensation in his own right.
While Wembanyama’s towering height and reach make him a natural fit for basketball, his willingness to explore pursuits where size plays no role highlights his curiosity and versatility. Clearly, the Spurs star is a man of many talents.