ABU DHABI: When you open your social media feed, it almost doesn’t make sense. A 7ft 4in player dribbling between defenders, stepping back beyond the arc and sinking threes with the ease of a guard. But this isn’t a video game, it’s Victor Wembanyama — the human highlight reel taking over the NBA.
One fan wrote beneath a viral clip of Wemby handling the ball across the court: “He’s casually hitting highlights every night,” after the video racked up more than a million views in just a few hours.
And that love isn’t confined to North America or Europe. In the Middle East, basketball fever is spreading fast, and Wembanyama is at the center of it. According to the NBA, League Pass sign-ups in the region are up 37 percent year on year, while views of San Antonio Spurs games across both live and on-demand platforms have increased by the same margin compared with the same period last season. From Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Doha, fans are staying up late to watch him play, share his highlights, and follow every move of the Spurs big man.
In the US, Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs made their national TV debut this season against the Dallas Mavericks, drawing an average audience of 2.49 million viewers, a 63 percent increase from ESPN’s opening-night game last year. A new kind of superstar.
Dominating the court, not just the highlights
He’s not just producing highlights, he’s winning games. The Spurs have broken their franchise record for the best start to a season, and Wembanyama is the driving force behind it. Through the opening week of the season, he became the first player in NBA history to record more than 100 points and 15 blocks in his first three games, averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and six blocks.
By the fifth game, the 21-year-old French superstar had already led San Antonio to its first 5-0 start. His first two seasons hinted at what was coming, but this year feels different. He’s taking fewer threes and attacking the basket more, punishing defenders who hesitate between contesting his shot or bracing for a two-step drive to the rim.
NBA legends and current players are speaking about Wembanyama with awe. Shaquille O’Neal put it simply: “Victor Wembanyama is redefining what a big man can do. Jokic has already redefined it, but Wemby’s taking it to another level — dribbling between his legs, stepping back, looking like Kevin Durant. He’s playing some excellent basketball right now, and I’m happy for him and for the San Antonio organization.”
The viral era of basketball
Wembanyama isn’t just dominating on the court, he’s also become a global social media phenomenon. He’s the fastest player in NBA history to surpass one billion views across league platforms, with more than 227 million views this season alone. He ranks first in engagement across Europe and Asia and is the most-viewed player on the NBA App, with two of the four most-watched clips of the season.
Every morning, basketball fans wake up to a new Wembanyama highlight, a play that makes them question what’s possible for a player his size.
The future has arrived
Even Wembanyama’s competitors are taking notice. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green recently said that the 21-year-old could “sweep the major NBA awards” if he maintains his blistering start to the season. Commenting on Wembanyama’s opening week performances, Green said: “Through three games, he’s showing it. If he stays at this pace, he could be MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved. He could sweep all three.”
Wembanyama is redefining basketball and changing how the world watches it. Fans from Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to San Antonio keep tuning in, sharing highlights and reacting in disbelief. Like millions of others, I can’t wait to see tomorrow’s Wemby highlight.
