When asked about All-Star Weekend,Victor Wembanyama made his priorities crystal clear. On Feb. 3, he didn’t mince words, saying, “I’m here for work. I don’t have any interest in making friends or trying to do anything.” No small talk, no distractions—just business. He was serious. He even brought a book to the locker room before the match, which Nikola Jokic found hilarious.
But the weekend didn’t go the French phenom’s way. The NBA All-Star Game got a major facelift Sunday night, ditching the old format for a tournament-style showdown. Four squads, each stacked with eight players, went head-to-head in three games. The final matchup saw Team Shaq’s OGs steal the spotlight, outplaying Team Chuck, which had global stars like three-time MVP Jokic and first-time All-Star Wembanyama.
After the OG’s showed Wemby why they’re the OG’s, he tempered down a bit. After the loss, Wembanyama reflected on the experience speaking to ESPN, making it clear once again that he wasn’t there for friendships but for growth. “I’ll try to cool down and forget a little bit about basketball for 48 hours, that’s it,” he said Sunday night. “I’ll put this on my resume. It’s done. I didn’t make any friends. But I learned a lot. I asked a lot of questions, and I got a lot of very interesting answers. It was a pleasure to share the floor with these experienced players.”
Well, that wasn’t all that happened with him at the All-Star Weekend. The Rookie of the Year had teamed up with Chris Paul for the Skills Challenge. The organizers designed the final leg of the Skills Challenge to showcase shooting, but Wembanyama and Paul chose a different playbook. Instead of taking proper shots, they tossed balls at the hoop like it was a quick fire round—and got disqualified.
Oct 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) along with guards Chris Paul (3) and Devin Vassell (24) sit out the preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
You might think this wild move was Paul’s brainchild, but it was Wembanyama’s. And here’s a fun twist: according to Marc J. Spears, Draymond Green revealed that Wembanyama had pre-checked with several NBA execs if it’s allowed. Well, thats just the NBA for you. But all-in-all the 7-feet 3 center felt the All-Star game can be made interesting.
Victor Wembanyama’s biggest takeaway from his first All-Star appearance resonates with the fans
Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs superstar, made his All-Star debut unforgettable. The 21‐year‐old French native showed that when you give 100%, the hype becomes real. This year’s All-Star Game had a new, tournament-style format that changed the usual flow, but Wemby embraced the challenge like a true underdog in a summer blockbuster.
Wembanyama’s focus was crystal clear. As he put it, “My biggest takeaway is that it’s possible to give a hundred percent on that court, to play hard, to play your ass off,” Wembanyama said after the All-Star finals. “And, for me, it’s the only way to play basketball, and I think it’ll only make the game better.” His words hit home like a scene straight out of your favorite sports movie.
Playing for Chuck’s Global Stars, he dropped 17 points, snagged 7 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots on 8-of-11 shooting. The stat sheet looked great, but it was his heart on display that truly captivated the crowd. Although the race-to-40 format cut his minutes short compared to a traditional 12-minute quarter game, Wembanyama still dropped jaw-dropping plays. Highlights included a huge block on Cade Cunningham and two dunks off assists from Jokic and Trae Young.
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chucks Global Stars forward Victor Wembanyama (1) of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against Kennys Young Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
After the game, Wembanyama admitted the new format exceeded his expectations, even though the energy was a bit inconsistent. Despite Adam Silver’s vision, many fans felt the All-Star Game still missed the mark, suggesting the NBA might need another creative reboot.
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