“Who wants to play chess with me?” »: the unexpected meeting launched by Wembanyama to New Yorkers

“Who wants to meet me at Washington Park on the southwest corner to play chess?” I’m there,” launched the number 1 of the 2023 Draft on the social network. Less than thirty minutes after the message, the publication already had more than 4,000 likes and 450 RTs.

“If only I were in New York now…” laments one Internet user. “Be careful, Victor, there’s going to be a crowd,” warns another. The emblematic place is renowned for being the scene of duels between players. On site, the rain got rid of the presence of several people. The player was accompanied by his brother, sister and mother.

Beyond basketball, Victor Wembanyama is known for his love of reading, but also his pleasure in playing chess. Maxime Raynaud, a French pivot playing in the NCAA (the American university level), had notably played several games with his compatriot during the Olympic Games. At the beginning of September, the two players were photographed during a game.

On a sporting level, the Spurs are currently in the play-in zone and are ranked 9th in the West (16 wins – 15 losses). Since the start of the season, Wembanyama has averaged 25.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 4 blocks per game. Enough to impress and appear in provisional 6th place in the ranking for the MVP. Note that New York is currently hosting the World Rapid Chess Championship.