We’re back, baby, with another season of Wembymania. And I, for one, couldn’t be more excited to be back writing for Pounding the Rock about the most fascinating basketball player of my lifetime: Victor Wembanyama.
This year, I’m switching up the format a bit. Instead of daily blogs from Monday to Friday, I’ll be focusing on a weekly post that dives deeper, especially into Wembanyama’s French media coverage and other unique angles worth sharing. As a French speaker, I plan to use that to my advantage
to bring some fresh insights to Spurs fans everywhere.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Wemby’s return: back in action after seven and a half months
Wemby finally played in a real, semi-meaningful, organized basketball game with the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night since his recovery from the blood clot.
Sure, it was against a lesser opponent, the Guangzhou Loong-Lions from China. But maybe there’s something poetic about that matchup – given Wemby spent 10 days at a Shaolin Temple this summer meditating and training with monks. Coincidence? Maybe. Fun storyline? Absolutely.
Let’s not get carried away; it was just a preseason game, basically a glorified scrimmage. But still, seven assists from a 7’4” player is nothing to ignore. After the game, Wemby’s comments made it clear where his mindset is: it’s about building the right habits and doing what’s best for the team.
An encouraging start for a young Spurs squad looking to find its rhythm early.
Watch Wemby’s full highlights here:
A “violent” offseason
A lot has been made of Wemby’s so-called “violent” offseason training. He meditated in China, trained with NBA legends Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon, and even worked out with former Spur Matt Bonner. It’s a fascinating mix – intensity, spirituality, and Spurs heritage all rolled into one. What will that produce for the 2025–26 season? An MVP award? Probably not yet. A Defensive Player of the Year trophy? Very possible.
Personally, I’ll be watching for a stronger, more decisive Wemby – with tighter footwork, better balance, and the confidence that comes with mastering his frame.
Takeaways from Monday’s French postgame interview
Turnovers
When asked about his six turnovers in Monday’s first half, Wemby didn’t flinch. He said he wasn’t concerned, the intentions were right, and that’s what matters.
As long as he’s not forcing anything “ridiculous,” he’s fine with a few turnovers if it means making the right reads and involving his teammates. It’s a mature perspective that reflects how he’s seeing the bigger picture, prioritizing team flow over personal stats.
Those growing pains will pay off long-term, especially as Wemby continues to evolve as a facilitator.
The Jackals: Bringing European ultras to Texas
One of the coolest new storylines from this offseason is “The Spurs Jackals.”
This was Wembanyama’s idea, inspired by European soccer “ultra” groups, to create an energetic, coordinated fan section in San Antonio.
The group was already visible Monday night in the upper levels of the Frost Bank Center, waving banners and bringing that European energy to an NBA crowd. Wemby said he hopes the group will keep growing, maybe even moving closer to the court one day. It’s a fun, creative initiative that adds flavor to the Spurs’ fan culture and perfectly reflects Wemby’s global mindset.
Final thoughts
And if you fast-forward to the end of the clip (yes, to skip the two missed full-court heaves and a missed dunk), you might just get a sneak peek at what Wemby could look like in the dunk contest someday…
