The San Antonio Spurs hit the jackpot when they won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. They were finally vindicated for their tanking strategy, as the Spurs drafted one of the most hyped-up draft prospects since LeBron James in 2003. Wembanyama has seamlessly adapted to the NBA, leaving no doubt that he is destined to become one of the future stars of the league.

After playing a starring role in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama has witnessed a sharp rise in his popularity. In fact, he has become one of the fastest-growing athletes on Instagram in 2023.

Wembanyama increases his Instagram following by 2.28 million

It is no secret that Victor Wembanyama came into the league with unmatched hype. Fans of the NBA had never witnessed a player of his size and quality, and it would be an understatement to suggest that Victor has captivated fans with his extraordinary abilities. In addition to thriving on the court, Wembanyama has made a significant impact off-court as well. According to Sportico, Victor was one of the fastest-growing athletes on Instagram in 2023 as he has gained 2.28 million followers, taking his tally from 1.12 million to 3.4 million.

Wembanyama’s follower count rose by almost 500,000 people after it was announced that the Spurs picked him with the 1st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Since his debut in late October, Wembanyama’s Instagram followers have grown by 550,000 people. These statistics put him in an elite company. Only four other athletes have witnessed a higher growth rate on Instagram than Wemby.

Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani tops the list with an increase of 5.33 followers. Taylor Swift’s beau, Travis Kelce, comes a close second, with an increase of 3.69 followers. Third on the list is the college basketball sensation, Angel Reese. She gained 2.53 followers in 2023. Just ahead of Wembanyama comes Tennis phenom Carlos Alcaraz, who gained 2.53 followers in 2023. While the numbers seem great, it is still important to assess his prowess on the hardwood and his impact on the team.

Can Wembanyama lead the Spurs into a new era of dominance?

Wemabanyama has garnered considerable attention not just for his towering stature, but also for his otherworldly talent. He has shown immense promise so far this season. Victor leads all rookies in points scored with 19.2 points per game. He also leads rookies in rebounds, with 10.1 rebounds per game.

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However, despite his exceptional individual performances, Wembanyama has failed to lead the Spurs to a respectable position. With the season almost reaching its halfway mark, the Spurs remain rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference standings, with just 5 wins from 34 games. While Victor undoubtedly possesses the talent, he needs to develop leadership skills. However, he’s still only 20 years old and with him at the helm, the Spurs are poised to become a formidable force in the future.

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