The Wembanyama Takeover: Eve Shines in EuroCup Debut While Victor Prepares to Lead Spurs in Post-Popovich Era

While San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was busy sprouting another two inches during the offseason, his sister has been putting on a clinic across the Atlantic. Eve Wembanyama lit up social media feeds this week following a standout performance in her EuroCup Women debut. The 23-year-old was a force of nature for Peja 03, one of the premier teams in Kosovo’s Superliga, posting a stat line that would make her brother proud: 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Peja 03’s domestic dominance earned them a slot in the prestigious continental competition, and if Eve’s debut is any indication, the sky is the limit. Although she doesn’t quite match her brother’s alien-like 7’5″ frame, she is no slouch at 6’1″. naturally, the internet had a field day realizing there is another dominant Wembanyama patrolling the hardwood. Fans on X were in disbelief, with one user joking, “This is getting out of hand, now there are two of them.” Others noted that Eve is quickly reminding the world that the growing Wembanyama dynasty isn’t a one-man show.

A Taller, Heavier Nightmare for the NBA
While Eve basks in the limelight of her European breakout, the focus is inevitably shifting back to her younger brother as he prepares for a pivotal Year 3. Victor Wembanyama heads into the new campaign with expectations that are somehow even higher than his vertical leap. The Spurs are set to open their season on October 22 against the Dallas Mavericks and first overall pick Cooper Flagg, but all eyes are on Victor’s physical transformation. According to the Spurs’ official listing, the French phenom now stands at a staggering 7 feet 5 inches and weighs in at 235 pounds—up from 7 feet 3 inches last year.

That physical development should terrify the rest of the league. The 21-year-old is looking to bounce back from a sophomore season that was unfortunately cut short by blood clots, a health scare that interrupted a year where he was the heavy favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Despite the medical setback, he enters his third season as the runaway favorite for the award, a status he seems destined to hold for the remainder of his career.

A New Era in San Antonio
The stakes for the Spurs are incredibly high. The franchise is hoping their generational superstar can carry them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, snapping a six-year drought that stands as the longest in team history. However, the atmosphere in San Antonio will be markedly different this year. For the first time since 1997, the team will take the floor without Gregg Popovich as head coach. The legendary future Hall of Famer, who holds the NBA record with 1,422 regular-season wins, retired from the sideline this past offseason citing health concerns. The 76-year-old hasn’t left the building entirely, however; he remains with the organization as the president of basketball operations, watching from a suite rather than barking orders from the bench.

Stuffing the Stat Sheet
On the court, Wembanyama continues to prove why he was the consensus first overall pick in 2023. His recent performances underscore a player who impacts every facet of the game. In a recent 138-125 victory over the Mavericks, Wembanyama logged 26 minutes, tallying 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, an assist, and three blocks. While teammate Stephon Castle stole the headlines with an explosive 40-point triple-double, Victor’s solid double-double was crucial to the win. It marked his 18th game of the season with more than three blocks and his 24th double-double, ranking him sixth in the league in that category.

His consistency has been the engine driving the Spurs’ offense and defense. over his last 12 games, Wembanyama has recorded nine double-doubles, averaging 23.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a massive 2.8 blocks in roughly 29 minutes of action. Even when his shot isn’t falling perfectly—such as his recent outing against the Charlotte Hornets where he shot 40% from the field for 16 points and 8 rebounds—his presence is undeniable.

Looking at the broader season, the numbers are elite. Wembanyama is averaging 23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, maintaining a season-long field goal percentage of 50.7%. For context, a scoring average over 20 points is considered excellent for forwards and centers, and Victor is clearing that bar comfortably while anchoring the defense. With recent strong showings against the Oklahoma City Thunder (22 points, 14 rebounds) and the Orlando Magic (25 points, 8 rebounds), the French star is signaling that he is fully recovered and ready to lead the Spurs into their new era.