When a star falls, an entire fan base loses hope. And that’s what happened when the 7-feet, 4-inch tall player from France was ruled out of the San Antonio Spurs games in the last few months of the 24/25 season. But Victor Wembanyama isn’t rushing back into headlines; still, somehow, he never really left them. Just as the NBA world began shifting focus elsewhere, Wemby resurfaced in Le Chesnay, France, standing tall over a chessboard and a basketball court. No quotes or flashy comeback video this time. Just a quiet public appearance, days after his health update came. Is it a coincidence? Or the start of something calculated?

Out of nowhere, we got the most Wemby-coded summer flex imaginable: a basketball x chess mega-event in his hometown, backed by Nike, with 450+ participants (150 chess players and 300+ hoopers), and scored by Notorious B.I.G. It was quirky, genius, and as French as a baguette dunking a three. Victor called it “Hoop Gambit.” But you could just as easily call it the first move in his next big comeback.

“First edition… was a success. 150 Chess players, 300+ hoopers,” Wemby wrote on Instagram, thanking his partners and the city. The France star added, “In my hometown, few minutes from where I grew up. Thank you to the city of Le Chesnay and the volunteer workers who helped achieve this project. Thank you to my partners @nike and @wwwchesscom for supporting me.” But this isn’t a one-off try by the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year.

“This is just the beginning—we’re going to do it bigger and even better next year.” Bigger than almost 7’4″? That’s saying something. The cherry on top, though? Wemby scored the mood with The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” that iconic “It was all a dream…” line looping over the IG carousel. But just when the internet was catching its breath from all the wholesomeness, an even more exciting update entered the chat.

After a scary mid-season diagnosis that sidelined him for months, Victor Wembanyama has now been medically cleared to return to the court. The Spurs sensation had his electric first year cut short after just 46 games when doctors discovered a blood clot in his right shoulder, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The team took no chances, shutting him down in February to prioritize long-term health. But now, with the clot resolved and his condition stabilized, Wemby is gearing up for a full-strength comeback. And that means the entire Western Conference just got put on checkmate.

It isn’t easy to forget how absurd Wemby’s rookie season really was. 21.4 points. 10.6 rebounds. 3.9 assists. And yes, 3.6 blocks per game. He didn’t just anchor the San Antonio Spurs. He warped how teams planned every possession. Guarding the rim? Automatic. Pull-up threes in transition? Yep. Weak-side rotations that erase mistakes like they never happened? All day. He was already being mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations at 20 years old. And now… now, he’s healthy again. But this isn’t just a medical clearance.

Victor’s victory lap begins in July, ends god knows where

It’s a momentum shift. A reminder that the Spurs are sitting on a ticking time bomb of talent. And with San Antonio loaded with young assets, cap space, and a reportedly aggressive trade appetite? Victor’s season this year won’t be a solo act. It’s going to be a curated symphony.

Let’s not forget that the Spurs have tried to make a lot of noise over the years. The Keldon Johnson experiments. The Tre Jones playmaking stints. Even a brief Jeremy Sochan-at-point phase, and now with DeAaron Fox… let’s just say, taught them a lot. But all of that was just preamble. The real Wemby era starts now, with a front office ready to get him help.

Victor’s camp has been intentional about image and fit. His social media is quiet. His endorsements (like Nike) are classy. And his workouts are monk-like. You remember Shaolin Wemby in China, right? The 7’4” Jedi catching lobs on temple grounds? Who does that?! The man’s not just a player. He’s a brand, a philosophy, a vibe. And the NBA, as chaotic and transaction-heavy as it is, might finally be ready to revolve around that.

Now, add a fully healthy Wemby to a team with financial flexibility and Popovich as the president? That’s… rebirthing, so to speak. Victor’s latest Instagram message—“just the beginning”—was about Hoop Gambit. But it might as well be about the league. Because his second act isn’t about proving he belongs. It’s about proving the Spurs matter. And something tells us that this time around, the dream is even bigger than Biggie’s hook.