Born to Félix Wembanyama — a 6'6" Congolese-born French triple jumper — and Élodie de Fautereau, a 6'3" basketball coach and former player. Older sister Ève is a pro basketball player; younger brother Oscar plays basketball and handball. Maternal grandfather Michel was a pro basketballer. He was, in every literal sense, engineered for this.
Debuts for Nanterre 92 against Pallacanestro Brescia in the EuroCup. Age 15 years, 9 months, 25 days — the second-youngest debutant in EuroCup history. Coach Pascal Donnadieu hands him minutes that look impossible from a frame still growing into itself.
Three-year deal with Tony Parker's club in Lyon-Villeurbanne. EuroLeague debut against Žalgiris on October 1. Wins the Pro A title with the team — though sidelined for the playoffs by a psoas injury that ends his season.
Mets 92 plays the G League Ignite in nationally-televised exhibitions in Las Vegas. He drops 37 points and 5 blocks in game one, then 36 and 11 in game two. The NBA streams Mets 92 games on its own app afterward. Wembamania is officially in flight.
First senior France appearance — vs. Lithuania.
The first French player ever taken first overall, the second European ever (after Bargnani '06), and the third Spurs № 1 — joining David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The lineage writes itself.
Britney Spears taps him on the back outside a Vegas restaurant; security responds; the moment becomes a tabloid headline overnight. No charges are filed. Welcome to the league.
The jersey from his NBA debut later resurfaces at auction and sets a record price for newcomer-game-worn memorabilia. Bloomberg projects he could become the first basketball billionaire.
At 19 years, 338 days, he becomes the youngest player ever with a 20-point, 20-rebound game — passing Dwight Howard.
The first ever 20-point, 10-block triple-double in under 30 minutes. No one had ever done it that fast. He did it in his rookie year.
The youngest player ever to log a 5×5, in the fewest minutes (30) the box score has ever recorded. Half the Hall of Fame never had one. He has two.
An overtime win at MSG. The Garden gets the gospel.
The sixth rookie ever to win the award unanimously. The first rookie ever — and youngest player ever — named to the All-Defensive First Team. Youngest player ever to lead the NBA in blocks for a season (3.6 BPG, age 20y 101d).
France runs to the gold-medal game on his shoulders. Silver around his neck. Named to the All-Star Five and tournament Rising Star. Decorated Chevalier in the French Order of Merit later that year.
Eight threes. Fourth-youngest player ever to score 50.
Third player ever with 40+ points and 15+ rebounds on Christmas Day — joining only Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokić.
Doctors find deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The Spurs shut him down for the season. He was averaging 24.3 / 11.0 / 3.7 / 3.8 BPG across 46 games. The interlude is enforced.
Closed-door retreat. Kung fu training. Shaved head, traditional monk robes. He would clarify, on returning, that he is not personally a Buddhist — only that the discipline interested him. Of course it did.
Hosts a mixed chess and basketball tournament in his hometown. He plays strangers at Washington Square Park in NYC on his off days. His game has always been a few moves ahead. So has his life.
Breaks George Gervin's Spurs franchise record (39) for points in a season opener.
First player ever with a 35 / 10 / 5 / 5 / 5-three game. He keeps inventing categories.
A late jumper drops; the Spurs are back. The post-Duncan, post-Kawhi drought ends on his shoulders.
The youngest DPOY ever, and the first unanimous winner of the award. Combined with his unanimous ROY, he becomes the only player ever to win multiple regular-season NBA awards unanimously.
Sets the Spurs franchise record for points in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan. The next chapter begins.