in the heart of New York, Victor Wembanyama plays chess against strangers

Victor Wembanyama is creating a buzz on and off the court. At the end of the Spurs' victory against the Nets (96-87), Wembanyama, author of 19 points, exchanged his jersey at the end of the game with… a child. After this touching exchange of jerseys in front of the cameras, the 2.21 m giant and the child, as tall as three apples, posed for photos, each handing the other's gift. The day after the Spurs' victory on the Brooklyn Nets floor, the interior of the Blues was once again talked about. He thus arranged to meet up this Saturday with New Yorkers who wanted to face him in chess. “Who wants to meet me at the southwest corner of Washington Square Park to play chess?” I am here “posted this big fan of the discipline. Something promised, something due. With a green cap on his head, sitting on the benches of the New York park, the Frenchman played the game.“Thank you to everyone who came in the rain”. An unusual scene to say the least.

“I just wanted to do it, that’s reason enough”explained the Frenchman about his initiative to a journalist on site. “It was a lot of fun, I learned a lot.” The 20-year-old prodigy notably lost “against two pros”but won against his brother. Practicing chess since he was 7 years old, the Olympic vice-champion hopes to create a chess tournament reserved for NBA players, including “Proceeds would be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice”.