Wembanyama endears himself to Spurs fans by embracing San Antonio culture

Victor Wembanyama has said all the right things since the San Antonio Spurs selected him with the number one overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft and cemented him as the face of their franchise, earning brownie points with the fanbase before making his official debut for the ball club.

The teenage phenom has actively avoided the media spotlight following his brief stint at Las Vegas Summer League. But he has made numerous public outings as the season approaches, and it is almost impossible not to notice his enormous 7-foot-3 frame when he strolls across the 2-1-0.

The Silver and Black are no strangers to overseas players with a genuine appreciation for the rich culture and history of San Antonio, and it seems the organization can add Wembanyama to that list after he and his fellow young teammates toured the city with Manu Ginobili acting as their guide.

Wemby took a field trip to the historic Mission San Jose, visited Ruby City Contemporary Art Center to take in stunning pieces from local artists, and stopped by The Pass, a brand-new family recreation area underneath I-35 near downtown San Antonio, for some ping pong and a few trick shots.

The rookie sensation continued exploring Alamo City, setting aside time to catch some NFL football with Spurs fans at Southtown 101 Bar & Grill before stepping outside to pose for pictures in front of nearby murals. He even met with the artists who painted his likeness throughout the Arena District.

No excursion around San Antonio is complete without delicious Mexican food from a mom-and-pop restaurant, and Wembanyama made a pitstop at Tacos Al Carbón Cabrón for a quick bite. His massive hands dwarfed his regular-sized portions, but his face said all we needed to know about that meal.

Seeing Victor Wembanyama embrace the art, eats, culture, people, and history that define San Antonio has been incredible. While some players tolerate the city they play in until the offseason comes knocking, the skyscraping Frenchman has looked right at home in South-Central Texas.