Without any surprise, Victor Wembanyama was voted Rookie of the Year last night. The French phenomenon lived up to all expectations on the pitch while having a huge impact off it. The proof in numbers.
The Spurs have become hype!
A small market franchise (San Antonio), and with the worst record in the West last season, the Spurs are only really in the spotlight when they have generational talent. David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and now Victor Wembanyama. If San Antonio’s collective results have not taken off this season (22 victories, like last year), the arrival of Wemby was clearly felt on the Fort Alamo side. For the first time in many years, and in particular the end of the Big Three Duncan – Parker – Ginobili (2016), the Spurs really catch the eye! Particularly in France.
- + 189%: the increase in the number of viewers who watched Spurs live on League Pass from France this season (compared to last year). Spurs have been the most watched team in France on League Pass, and 4 of the 10 most watched matches this season involved Spurs.
- + 29%: on TV, the average audience for Spurs matches was boosted by 29% compared to other matches broadcast in France. In prime time (often Sunday evening), we are on a figure of + 240%! The Spurs – Raptors match on November 5 (a Sunday evening, just after Wemby’s 38 points against Phoenix) was the most watched match of the season in France (on TV and on League Pass)
- 5: the Spurs entered the Top 5 of the most watched NBA teams on social networks this season (30th out of 30 last year), notably with a 125% increase in followers on Instagram.
Wembamania on social networks
Speaking of social networks, Victor Wembanyama ignited them throughout the season through his crazy actions carried out on the floor.
- 1.3 billion: This is the number of views caused by Victor Wembanyama on NBA social networks this season. Never has a rookie reached this mark, let alone with such speed. This makes Wemby the third most watched player this season behind superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
- 247 million: This is the number of views for his Statue of Liberty dunk against the Celtics at the end of December. It is the second most viewed video all-time on NBA social networks.
Wemby looked every bit of 7’4″ on this play against Boston -
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