Fanatics | The Exhibit: Wemby’s Rookie of the Year Surprise

A historic rookie season deserves some historic surprises. We created an exhibit that brought together ten of the greatest rookies in NBA history to congratulate Wemby on being named Rookie of the Year.
Watch what LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Shaq, Allen Iverson, Pau Gasol, Grant Hill, David Robinson, Vince Carter, Chris Paul, and Jason Kidd had to say to Victor Wembanyama.

[@studentofthesaviors.o.s]

If it wasn’t clear, the NBA just passed the torch to him

[@mohammadcali554]

I thought they're passing the torch to Anthony Edwards, who is Michael Jordan's son 😂

[@jaybuen9545]

​@mohammadcali554 MJs son vs Wilt reincarnated.

[@deansedrickcarlos7416]

​@@mohammadcali554Ant is great but there are better young players like Luka

[@jaybuen9545]

​@mohammadcali554 mjs son vs wilt reincarnated

[@justinlee4904]

Wemby had a hell of a rookie season

[@VictorWembanyamaSpurs]

I teared up Watching David Robinson talk to Wembanyama. David -> Timmy -> Wemby I love my Spurs !

[@ernieestrada193]

Go victor go

[@AntonioMolina-zw3cy]

Yeah me too. I thought Duncan will appear as well

[@VictorWembanyamaSpurs]

@@AntonioMolina-zw3cy if he had I would of definitely cried like a baby

[@mattescobedo3612]

@@VictorWembanyamaSpurs would’ve been really emotional if duncan was there

[@rsbp22]

Same--glad Timmy didn't do a video. I would have lost it LOLOL

[@patricksmith8599]

I'm not crying...you're crying!

[@ykitsmandyyy]

Damn it, you caught me

[@Plainsman89]

Damn bro! That was incredible

[@tinoc3407]

@@Plainsman89 is it crying if the eyes tear up? that was nice!

[@sofellow]

As a French fan, I'm so proud of Wemby and how he represents us on NBA stage, he's truly a face of the League and he'll have an amazing career hopefully!

[@Daddynixterdrums]

As a spurs fan, thank you all for supporting him over there. Very thankful and proud that he’ll get so much love and support from spurs fans and French fans alike! If you’re a fan of Vic, you’re basically a spurs fan now by proxy 🤷🏽‍♂️🫶🏽

[@sofellow]

@@Daddynixterdrums I'm not a die heart fan of Spurs but I've always supported our French players and back then I was very supportive of TP! And he's definitely someone for the Spurs. Vic's gonna have a tremendous career and we will be fosho following that

[@quentino1800]

C'est vraiment une surprise pour vous le rookie of the year ? Clairement y a des la concurrence mais le top 3 étaient quand même assez évident non ?

[@sofellow]

@@quentino1800 non pas du tout une surprise bien au contraire. La surprise pour moi c'est qu'il n'a pas été élu DPOY !! Il a été plus efficace en défense que Rudy à mon sens il est leader en blocs!

[@quentino1800]

@@sofellow ça me rassure :) je suis d'accord qu'il est plus décisif en défense, mais malheureusement on prend pas les stats des équipes quand ils sont sur le terrain ;)

[@tobinrey5984]

As a San Antonian , seeing 5 0 being there was awesome, so proud to be a spurs fan, it’s only the beginning, GO SPURS GO!!!! WEMBY IS THE TRUTH.

[@ernieestrada193]

The spurs are why I'm proud to be from Texas☝️🇨🇱🤠💍💍💍💍💍go victor go

[@b-wak]

The Admiral - the last gentleman of basketball.

[@gspadeo87]

DROB was there bc he was ROTY!!

[@tobinrey5984]

@@gspadeo87 yes sir that’s damn right, remember watching in the hemisphere, being a young kid scared of heights, core memory brotha

[@arthurwright255]

I won't be surprised if the Spurs get Trae Young soon.

[@braithsharbean8866]

As a fellow San Antonian, this nearly made me tear up seeing everyone there, especially The Admiral 🥹. Wemby has the real potential to be the goat ✝️👽🤩

[@Filmkid3000]

Austin born. Cried lol

[@braithsharbean8866]

@@Filmkid3000 my dad was born in austin lol

[@brodiestephens419]

Mate, this is beautiful no matter where you are from. I got tears in my eyes.... and I'm from Brisbane, Australia. I've watched the NBA religiously since 1990, from all the way over here in Australia, including my countrymen Patty Mills and Aron Baynes winning it all with the Spurs. I watched all five Spurs Championships, but also every season of every rookie in this video. Robinson, Shaq, J-Kidd & Grant Hill, Iverson, Duncan, Vince, Gasol, LeBron, CP3, Durant, Wemby..... and everyone in between all the guys in this video. So much greatness.... and SOMEHOW.... Wemby might end up the best of ALL of them. We're lucky to witness all these guys, and Victor is the best player, but even more importantly.... the best HUMAN BEING to be leading the next generation of greatness. 😭😭😭

[@braithsharbean8866]

@@brodiestephens419 damn im from sydney

[@inportant9]

Doesn’t seem like Timmy in the video

[@Stealther]

Wow, that was pretty incredible. A very touching moment for Victor.

[@jr032582]

I said to myself I’ll never tear up again for another alien except ET but thank you Fanatics for this wonderfully made tribute for Wemby

[@Mandozen]

Man, that was so dope. And Wemby looked so touched and was clearly very appreciative of what these NBA legends said to him. Love to see the vets (and legends) being supportive of a rookie.

[@yanaguana]

"Wemby! Wemby! Wemby!" - everybody in the hometown! 🤘😎🤘🇨🇱

[@Love2Musgrave]

I'm literally crying man

[@brodiestephens419]

Yeah mate, I'm quite literally (actually) crying. I'm not French, I'm not a Spurs fan, and I'm not even American. I'm a 41-year-old Australian man who has watched the entire careers of every single one of these greats, from their first games to their last. This was a beautiful tribute, and we are honestly so fucking lucky to have Wembanyama leading the next generation of greatness. His talent speaks for itself.... but he's the type of human being that deserves everything that will come his way. To use his own wise and humble words in the understatement of the century.... "I'm curious" to see how his career plays out.

[@brandonoakley8962]

😂😂😂

[@DeeBees76]

​@@brodiestephens419Australian here too. 47 years young. Doing the same lol. Couldn't have put it more elegantly myself. Well written and have to agree. Victor will be one of the greatest players we'll see in a long time. Even my Dad was speechless when he found out it was his Rookie season. And his RL warriors 😁. But that tribute was awesome hey!

[@gabrieldenman1535]

Bravo Victor...on a de la chance d'avoir un joueur pareil en France, du respect sur ton nom 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Soclean07]

C'est clair

[@olivd3406]

Avec Victor et Léon marchand on a 2 pépites avec des têtes bien faites et bien pleines 👍 Vivement les JO 2024🇨🇵🤟💯

[@SenseiDan92]

Passing of the Torch🔥

[@claude_k]

Nice idea to put this together, both for him and for the game.

[@Pasta1000-br7cv]

I have been with Wemby before he came to the league this is so awesome

[@newj9549]

That was pretty cool. Well deserved ROY award.

[@user-sz4ci9lj9s]

Never doubted him for a second. Was great to see him silence every hater out there. GSG!

[@justinlee4904]

I don't think there was any wemby haters bro

[@user-sz4ci9lj9s]

@@justinlee4904 You really don't watch NBA or pay attention at all if you think that. People were frothing at the mouth for an opportunity to talk crap or call him a bust, even as early as Summer League.

[@justinlee4904]

I watch the NBA everyday guy, don't matter he did him

[@alexdglover]

@@justinlee4904they were A LOT, especially on social media like tiktok or ig where they called him overrated (before even getting drafted) and a BUST after one summer league game. going even as far to say he is gonna get injured in less than 10 games and get bullied in paint (funny considering all of these claims where proven flase)

[@ykitsmandyyy]

@@justinlee4904 if you watched the Knicks game ( his first NY debut) the Knicks fans were chanting “ overrated “ so if you think dude done got any haters..well he does. Oh & let’s not forget about the rocket fans

[@Ebriel0000000]

The trophy will be on his shelf. This moment will be in his heart... forever. Thank you for that !

[@hope3325]

Amazing surprise for Wemby! He is so humble and deserving of this. All the hard work he's put in from an early age is paying off and he has so much time to show us more of what he can do. So proud of him without even knowing him personally because you can tell he is a proud SPUR and plays with heart for himself, his teammates and the fans. Refreshing to see a star like him in the NBA✨️

[@sosetoga1458]

❤

[@MrOmen420]

New core memory, not only for Victor but for me as well ❤ GO SPURS GO!!

[@ykitsmandyyy]

This is gunna be a core memory for the whole family man, GO SPURS GO!!

[@user-ub9zd1lo6d]

Am I the only one that has watched this hundreds of times today? Well deserved. Going to love being a fan. Unbelievable talent. Still pulls the heart strings hundredth time around.

[@abou3575]

I feeling blessed that I will see this Legendary player in the courts!!! OHHH MAMA WEMBANYAMA 👽💪 Nice surprise Fanatics

[@romainviry3185]

Wow... Fantastic surprise, you can tell Vic is feeling very emotional standing with all these great players. Probably the best ROTY exhibit I've seen in years.

[@thestudent59007]

Congratulations Wemby !!! Well deserved!!!

[@soccerlordd1724]

NBA passing the torch without saying they passing the torch 🥹

[@malcolmwayne8457]

💯💯💯💯

[@Plainsman89]

I concur! Directly, but also indirectly!

[@adeniyioduguwa4040]

Thanks Fanatics for making his day.

[@isaacmota2220]

Very touching video.

[@Tiss75014]

The future of the league, please stay healthy Wemby 🙏🏾

[@TexanInItaly]

Damn am I supposed to be crying with joy for the kid?

[@VictorHimbanyama]

Shaq video got me hyped asf #210wembantonio

[@thecoffeecorner1221]

This is very inspiring and powerful. Wemby is in good hands, not just with the Spurs, but with every respected great of the game who believes and respects his game as well!

[@Jeez_itsRJ]

nearly teared up watching this. well deserved honor. congrats Wemby!👽👏🎉

[@inordirection_]

if Timmy showed up I woulda cried lol.

[@Jeez_itsRJ]

@@inordirection_ i was thinking that too

[@tibadama683]

Waw Americans can do it. They know how makes greatness shine more.

[@BasketBall-NewsCast]

Sport story-telling Marketing pieces are always the most powerful

[@clementpistre9031]

It was so good. What a gift!

[@RowanWilde]

I got tingles down my spine watching this. So special. Well done Fanatics! Well done Wemby!! GO SPURS GO!!

[@valis14]

If you're a Spurs fan, a ride or die, I don't know how you don't get emotional watching this vid.

[@brodiestephens419]

You don't even need to be a Spurs fan. I'm a 41 year old Australian man who's been an NBA FAN since David Robinson's rookie year..... and I had legit tears in my eyes watching this. So good.

[@ykitsmandyyy]

I cried, this was for this video & his message to us. This man just makes me emotional every time, it’s cause I know he’s going to do great things & not disappoint us.

[@namesfain]

One thing Fanatics got right and by right I mean amazing job on the creativity and execution of collaboration of the best to give Wemby his Flowers. Congratulations my man and to city of San Antonio. To us as well, bc we get to watch this unfold over the next decade!

[@25lighters91]

Not if y'all keep that team around him

[@ykitsmandyyy]

This made me cry, it’s truly an honor to have someone like Vic on our squad. I can’t wait to see what this man does in the future with his time here in San Antonio. Vet on the court, rookie in our heart.

[@kristimartinez7528]

Exactly 💯

[@sosetoga1458]

❤

[@maiskil]

My GOAT

[@michaeldalton2245]

Back in the nineties, the Dream Team did a Magnificent job along with the late Great David Stern of Introducing the entire world to the beautiful game of NBA basketball. Now over forty yrs later, we can fast forward to see how the majority of the league has warmly Embraced these guys come to America to enrich and evolve the game to unprecedented heights. So inspiring to see so many NBA Legends come together to honor this special young man. If Wemby us blessed with good health, we will see what Kareem & Tracy McGrady look like along with several other NBA legends you will discover in his X-Man Mutant like talent continues to show us things we've Never seem before with the basketball! Thank you Victor for bringing NEW stratospheres to be beautiful game of basketball that we can Imagine!

[@jonathand.t.5051]

If Wemby was born in the antiquity period he would be mythologized as a demigod lmao

[@25lighters91]

Also a weird mix of giannis and KD

[@sosetoga1458]

❤

[@dominatorkd]

Why did I almost tear up for him while watching this?

[@25lighters91]

Because he truly deserves it

[@dlz5709]

I teared up a little bit

[@samperez2039]

Can't wait for the next season

[@Bejay01Ulant]

Goosebumps 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MiserableLemon]

I'm so proud to be a life long Spur. I can't wait to come back to Texas to watch the boys again.

[@momjacqy]

Deserved!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@TitanWEX]

Congratulations man!!!! You deserve everything brother! Keep doing you! This gave me chills

[@infinitepwer]

Congratulations Wemby. The basketball gods are smiling at San Antonio again after being away too long of being down. Let’s go!!!!

[@christopheflochlay3984]

C’est que le début 😂😂 Félicitations Victor 👍👍

[@janicecray8630]

This is awesome love the respect from the real ones🙏🏾❤️👑💪🏾.

[@SereneBliss]

Too good Wemby much love from us all

[@fguanilo27]

One of the best surprises I've seen in sports

[@Mykoveli]

Congratulations Victor Wembeyama on receiving The Rookie of the Year!! … As a San Antonio resident, we’re proud to have a special talent like yourself in our community and organization. Though, I definitely think you deserved The Defensive Player of the Year too…….I don’t think I’ve ever saw an opposing player change course out of the paint because they saw Wembeyama sitting there waiting defensively…. Matter of fact, I’ve never seen a player block so many three point shots…. In all my years of watching basketball since the mid 80’s, I’ve slowed down on watching the NBA since Jordan retired. Now that I’ve seen you play in my hometown, I’m excited for you and the next generation is in good hands! Stay humble and the NBA gods will reward you. He should’ve been the first ever Rookie of the Year and Defensive player of the Year in the same year.

[@sosetoga1458]

❤

[@JeanPierreTORRES]

Waow ! Quel hommage ! Que d'émotions ! Longue et belle carrière à toi Wemby, continue à nous faire vibrer ! 💙🤍♥ What a tribute! Such emotion! Long and happy career to you Wemby, keep on thrilling us!

[@jeditricks7605]

Yoooo its bulk time! Time to take souls next season. Don't be surprise to see superstars wanna play with this titan.

[@adityakundalanugraha4006]

" I'm proud of you, you deserve every bit of it ". AI the realest always giving his flowers to the next generation.

[@lilyrubyify]

Wow that's really heart warming. The legacy continues!

[@Ebriel0000000]

Incredible moment. Incredible content.

[@QueenBrieBriee]

This was AWESOME!🖤🩶 Well deserved!👏🏾👏🏾

[@Amnesia9777]

so inspirational

[@brandengrellmore7635]

This was simply beautiful.

[@MikeBrown-qt9kb]

The NBA BROTHERHOOD is what I love. Our FUTURE is 🔥🔥

[@abhinandannandan3863]

Man this is amazing

[@josehurtado6562]

I got lucky to meet Wembanyama this year great player and even a greater person! Congratulations on Rookie of the year 👽

[@Kevrow88]

This is the best sports video of 2024. Amazing work

[@joelcotto1870]

WOW. Congrasts Wemby

[@maxou_svg1106]

LEGEND for Legendary men

[@Hey_me]

Very emotional. Love it

[@mattgolds7576]

Powerful message from the 🐐 to the guy that has the potential to pass him. Such a cool moment to see

[@bojo9103]

DOPE video ggs fanatics and ggs wemby for the ROTY we need more video like that🔥🔥

[@mitchDP13]

Tellement fier de toi Wemby ! Incroyable ce passage de flamme 🔥

[@shbdhd]

Outstanding job, Fanatics! If you have a video of their whole messages, post that too. Like an uncut version.

[@Meta4XReaL]

This was brilliant but I wish Duncan would have been on here. But Congrats Wemby it's only the beginning.🎉🎉🎉🎉 Go Spurs Go!!!!

[@jonathanratel3150]

That was fire ! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🐐

[@davidgaar8570]

Amazing.

[@royfox8057]

This was great. Let's Go Wemby 🔥🔥🏀🏀

[@SantiagoHernandez-bj3mb]

All-Defensive First Team Victor Wembanyama 🤘🏼first rookie to do it

[@damjiks]

well done fanatics great job

[@Mr_Jonestha3rd]

Damn you, Timmy!

[@bigmanny]

That brought tears to my eyes. So dope!! Can't wait to see how he flourishes in the league!

[@ziplockbaggies8707]

Current 👽 Future 🐐- 🎉Congrats Wemby

[@user-qy7yw4pn5f]

On to the next level.

[@floriancaujolle]

C'est dingue !!! 🎉❤

[@kevinbeard4595]

This was a dope concept i feel like i need to be at the gym working out after watching this...Congratulations Wemby 👽

[@samperez2039]

Much love to you wemby

[@jasonsiu7889]

That’s touching

[@runigolaurent6025]

Wow, Just wow... 😮

[@drummerseb]

Great job with this video. It made me emotional ngl

[@hooperflash_]

Congratulations Wemby! Go Spurs Go 🎉

[@samperez2039]

I love my wemby

[@MarquisVegan]

This was fire and amazing to see how far technology has come. Congrats to the future GOAT 👽

[@terelopez3068]

This is soo cool.

[@sakiiwata5586]

It’s an amazing video ❤

[@ugwuchukwunnaemeka785]

This is really nice

[@Daoud7878]

Bravo!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@robertball147]

Awesome Video!

[@samperez2039]

That's my guy love u wenby

[@EinhanderPilotSantos]

Feels like the 90s again!!

[@KiwiKoNZ]

This is dope! 😎👍✨