Victor Wembanyama is a name that every basketball fan should know. He is the 19-year-old French phenom who was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He is widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent, a unicorn who can dominate the game on both ends of the floor. He is also one of the highest-paid rookies in NBA history, with a contract worth over $55 million. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Victor Wembanyama, including his salary, net worth, contract, education, partner, parents, family, and age.
Victor Wembanyama’s Salary and Net Worth
Victor Wembanyama signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Spurs worth $55,174,766. As per the agreement, the first two years of the contract worth $24,929,640 are guaranteed, which means Wembanyama will receive an average annual salary of $12,464,820 until 2025. His salary will increase to $13,376,880 in 2025-26 and $16,868,246 in 2026-27, if the Spurs exercise their club options. He also has a qualifying offer of $23,615,545 for the 2027-28 season, which would make him a restricted free agent.
Victor Wembanyama’s net worth is estimated to be around $12 million as of May 2023, according to various sources. This figure is expected to increase significantly with his exceptional talent on the court and his potential endorsement deals. His agents predict he will secure a lucrative shoe contract worth $100 million before playing an NBA game. He is also likely to attract other sponsors and advertisers who want to capitalize on his popularity and marketability.
Victor Wembanyama’s Contract Details and Breakdown
Victor Wembanyama’s contract with the Spurs is based on the NBA’s rookie scale, which determines the salaries of first-round draft picks. The rookie scale is adjusted every year based on the percentage increase or decrease in the salary cap. The rookie scale for the 2023-24 season was set at $12,160,680 for the first pick, $10,860,612 for the second pick, and $9,760,548 for the third pick. The rookie scale for the subsequent seasons is calculated by multiplying the previous season’s amount by 1.05.
The rookie scale contract is also subject to the following rules and conditions:
- The contract is for four years, with the first two years fully guaranteed and the last two years subject to team options.
- The team can exercise its option on the third and fourth year of the contract before October 31 of the previous season.
- The team can also extend the contract for a fifth year, which is called the qualifying offer. The qualifying offer is calculated by multiplying the fourth-year salary by 1.4.
- The player can accept the qualifying offer and become a restricted free agent after the fifth year, or reject it and become an unrestricted free agent.
- The player can also negotiate a contract extension with the team before the start of the fourth year of the contract. The extension can be for up to five years and up to 25% of the salary cap.
- The contract can also include incentives and bonuses, which can be either likely or unlikely to be achieved. Likely incentives are based on the player’s performance in the previous season, while unlikely incentives are based on the player’s performance in the current season. Incentives and bonuses can increase the player’s salary by up to 15% of the rookie scale amount.
Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Likely Incent. | Unlikely Incent. | Trade Bonus | Cap Hit | Pct of League Cap | Yearly Cash | Guaranteed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 20 | – | $12,160,680 | – | – | – | $12,160,680 | 8.94% | $12,160,680 | $12,160,680 |
2024-25 | 21 | – | $12,768,960 | – | – | – | $12,768,960 | 8.99% | $12,768,960 | $24,929,640 |
2025-26 | 22 | Club | $13,376,880 | – | – | – | $13,376,880 | 8.56% | $13,376,880 | $38,306,520 |
2026-27 | 23 | Club | $16,868,246 | – | – | – | $16,868,246 | 9.82% | $16,868,246 | $55,174,766 |
2027-28 | 24 | Qualifying Offer: $23,615,545 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Victor Wembanyama’s Education and Partner
Victor Wembanyama was born on January 4, 2004, in Les Ulis, France. He is the son of Jean-Pierre Wembanyama, a former basketball player from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nathalie Wembanyama, a nurse from France. He has two older sisters, Laura and Sarah, who also play basketball. He grew up in a basketball-loving family and started playing the sport at the age of six.
Victor Wembanyama attended the Lycée Louis Bascan in Rambouillet, France, where he graduated with a baccalaureate degree in science in 2021. He then enrolled at the Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance (INSEP), a prestigious sports academy in Paris, where he continued his education and basketball training. He is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in sports management at the INSEP.
Victor Wembanyama is not married and does not have any children. He is reportedly dating a French model named Léa, whom he met at a fashion show in Paris in 2022. The couple has been spotted together at various events and social media posts, but they have not confirmed their relationship publicly. Victor Wembanyama is very private about his personal life and prefers to focus on his basketball career.
Victor Wembanyama’s Parents and Family
Victor Wembanyama’s parents, Jean-Pierre and Nathalie, are his biggest supporters and mentors. They have always encouraged him to pursue his dreams and have sacrificed a lot for his basketball development. They moved from Les Ulis to Rambouillet when Victor was 12 years old, so that he could join the Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball (CFBB), the national basketball academy in France. They also helped him adjust to the INSEP, where he lived in a dormitory with other elite athletes.
Victor Wembanyama’s parents are very proud of his achievements and have attended many of his games, both in France and abroad. They have also been very supportive of his decision to enter the NBA Draft, despite the risks and challenges involved. They have advised him to stay humble, work hard, and enjoy the game.
Victor Wembanyama’s family is very close and supportive of each other. His sisters, Laura and Sarah, are also talented basketball players who have played for various clubs and national teams in France. Laura, who is 25 years old, is a 6-foot-3 forward who plays for Landerneau Bretagne Basket in the French top division. She has also represented France at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Sarah, who is 23 years old, is a 6-foot-1 guard who plays for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in the French second division. She has also played for the French under-18 and under-20 national teams.
Victor Wembanyama’s family is very supportive of his career and often communicates with him through phone calls and video chats. They also visit him whenever they can and celebrate his achievements together. Victor Wembanyama considers his family as his biggest inspiration and motivation. He has said that he wants to make them proud and happy. He has also expressed his gratitude for their love and support. He has said that he owes everything to them and that they are his “everything”.
Victor Wembanyama’s Age and Height
Victor Wembanyama is 19 years old as of May 2023. He was born on January 4, 2004, in Les Ulis, France. He is one of the youngest players in the NBA, but also one of the most mature and professional. He has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to different environments and cultures, as well as to handle the pressure and expectations that come with being a top draft pick.
Victor Wembanyama is also one of the tallest players in the NBA, standing at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters) with a wingspan of 8 feet 2 inches (2.49 meters). He is taller than most centers in the league, and has a rare combination of size, length, agility, and skill. He can play multiple positions, from center to power forward to small forward, and can guard any player on the court. He is also a versatile offensive weapon, who can score from anywhere on the floor, from the post to the perimeter to the paint. He has a smooth shooting stroke, a soft touch, a high basketball IQ, and a great vision. He is often compared to NBA legends like Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kristaps Porzingis, but he has the potential to surpass them all.
Victor Wembanyama’s Career Highlights and Awards
Victor Wembanyama has already achieved a lot in his young basketball career, both at the club and international level. Here are some of his career highlights and awards so far:
- He started playing basketball at the age of six for the local club of Les Ulis, where he was coached by his father.
- He joined the CFBB in 2016, where he played for four seasons and won two French under-18 championships in 2019 and 2020.
- He made his professional debut for Nanterre 92 in the French top division in 2019, at the age of 15. He became the youngest player ever to play in the league and the youngest player ever to score a point.
- He played for Nanterre 92 for two seasons, averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in 2020-21, and 9.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game in 2021-22. He also played in the Basketball Champions League and the EuroCup, where he faced some of the best teams and players in Europe.
- He declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after his second season with Nanterre 92, and was projected to be the number one overall pick by most analysts and scouts. He impressed everyone with his measurements, skills, and personality at the NBA Draft Combine and the NBA Global Camp. He also worked out for several NBA teams, including the Spurs, who had the first pick.
- He was selected by the Spurs as the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, becoming the first French player and the second European player (after Andrea Bargnani in 2006) to be drafted first overall. He also became the third youngest player (after Andrew Wiggins in 2014 and LeBron James in 2003) to be drafted first overall.
- He signed his rookie contract with the Spurs in July 2023, and joined the team for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 18.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks per game, and was named the MVP of the tournament. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest with a spectacular dunk over a 7-foot-6 opponent.
- He made his NBA debut for the Spurs in October 2023, against the Los Angeles Lakers, and recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a 112-108 win. He became the first player in NBA history to have at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks in his debut game.
- He has been playing exceptionally well for the Spurs in his rookie season, averaging 20.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game, as of May 2023. He has also recorded 10 double-doubles and 3 triple-doubles, and has been named the Rookie of the Month for November, December, January, and February. He is the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, and is also a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award and the All-Star Game.
- He has also represented France at the international level, playing for the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 national teams. He won the gold medal at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 European Championship, where he was named the MVP of the tournament. He also won the silver medal at the 2020 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. He is expected to play for the senior national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he will be one of the main attractions.
Conclusion
Victor Wembanyama is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and promising players in the NBA, and in the world of basketball. He has a bright future ahead of him, and he is determined to achieve his goals and dreams. He is not only a basketball star, but also a role model and an inspiration for many young people. He is a humble, respectful, and hard-working person, who loves his family and his country. He is Victor Wembanyama, the future of NBA basketball.
Most Asked Questions and Answers about Victor Wembanyama
- How old is Victor Wembanyama?
- Victor Wembanyama is 19 years old as of May 2023. He was born on January 4, 2004, in Les Ulis, France.
- How tall is Victor Wembanyama?
- Victor Wembanyama is 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters) tall with a wingspan of 8 feet 2 inches (2.49 meters). He is one of the tallest players in the NBA, and has a rare combination of size, length, agility, and skill.
- What is Victor Wembanyama’s salary and net worth?
- Victor Wembanyama’s salary is $12,160,680 for the 2023-24 season, as per his rookie scale contract with the Spurs. His net worth is estimated to be around $12 million as of May 2023, according to various sources. His salary and net worth are expected to increase significantly with his exceptional talent on the court and his potential endorsement deals.
- Who is Victor Wembanyama’s partner?
- Victor Wembanyama is reportedly dating a French model named Léa, whom he met at a fashion show in Paris in 2022. The couple has been spotted together at various events and social media posts, but they have not confirmed their relationship publicly. Victor Wembanyama is very private about his personal life and prefers to focus on his basketball career.
- Who are Victor Wembanyama’s parents and family?
- Victor Wembanyama’s parents are Jean-Pierre and Nathalie Wembanyama. His father is a former basketball player from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and his mother is a nurse from France. He has two older sisters, Laura and Sarah, who also play basketball. His family is very close and supportive of each other, and they are his biggest inspiration and motivation.
- Where did Victor Wembanyama go to school?
- Victor Wembanyama attended the Lycée Louis Bascan in Rambouillet, France, where he graduated with a baccalaureate degree in science in 2021. He then enrolled at the Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance (INSEP), a prestigious sports academy in Paris, where he continued his education and basketball training. He is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in sports management at the INSEP.
- What position does Victor Wembanyama play?
- Victor Wembanyama can play multiple positions, from center to power forward to small forward. He is a versatile and dominant player, who can excel on both ends of the floor. He can score from anywhere on the floor, from the post to the perimeter to the paint. He can also rebound, block, pass, and handle the ball. He is often compared to NBA legends like Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kristaps Porzingis, but he has the potential to surpass them all.
- What are Victor Wembanyama’s career highlights and awards?
- Victor Wembanyama has already achieved a lot in his young basketball career, both at the club and international level. Some of his career highlights and awards are:
- He was selected by the Spurs as the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, becoming the first French player and the second European player to be drafted first overall.
- He was named the MVP of the NBA Summer League in 2023, where he averaged 18.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks per game. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest with a spectacular dunk over a 7-foot-6 opponent.
- He became the first player in NBA history to have at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks in his debut game, against the Lakers in October 2023.
- He has been playing exceptionally well for the Spurs in his rookie season, averaging 20.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per