Victor Wembanyama plays chess in the rain at Washington Square Park
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NEW YORK - After defeating the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama made an unexpected move—off the court.
The towering 7-foot-3 Spurs star invited New Yorkers to join him for a chess match at Washington Square Park.
"Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square Park to play chess? I’m there," Wembanyama posted on X.
His late-night callout racked up over 65,000 likes and a flurry of comments, with some questioning whether the basketball phenom was serious.
"How will we know it’s you?" one user asked. Another chimed in, "You won’t miss the 7’6" guy, we promise."
Fans braved the pouring rain to see if Wemby would actually show—and he didn’t disappoint. Social media quickly filled with photos of the NBA star seated at a chess table, focused on his next move as raindrops drenched the park.''
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For many, the moment was surreal. "It’s not every day you see a guy his size casually playing chess in the middle of Washington Square Park," one onlooker said.
Some marveled at his dedication, considering he had a game against the Timberwolves scheduled for Sunday. "Already in the G.O.A.T convo, just for this alone," wrote one admirer.
While the results of his chess games remain under wraps, one thing is certain: Wembanyama’s brief stop in New York wasn’t just about basketball. His impromptu chess session added another layer to his game.
He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
"We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner," he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over.
Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday.