Victor Wembanyama isn’t backing off his criticism of NBA stars who promote gambling and alcohol, and he’s making it clear where he stands.
The San Antonio Spurs center said he wants his name attached to something different.
“You can choose to be the guy that's gonna promote gambling and alcohol… I want to promote healthy things. I don't mean just the food but healthy habits, things that make people's lives better,” he said, per CBS' 60 Minutes on X, formerly Twitter.
That position stands out in a league where gambling has become deeply woven into the business side of the sport. High-profile players such as LeBron James have partnered with Polymarket, while Giannis Antetokounmpo owns a considerable stake of Kalshi.
The NBA itself has also leaned into sportsbook partnerships, and gambling promotions have become hard to miss during broadcasts in 2026. Point spreads and other betting references now show up regularly on the screen or in the booth.
The issue has also brought plenty of controversy with it. A growing number of NBA players have run into legal trouble over gambling-related activity or the sharing of information, with Malik Beasley and Terry Rozier among those exiled from the league because of such allegations.
For now, though, Wembanyama’s stance doesn’t appear likely to slow the league’s ties to gambling companies or stop other top stars from chasing that money. The Spurs, meanwhile, have found their footing after a rough start and are now 4-2 on the 2026-27 season.
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Wembanyama Opens Up About The Scare That Changed Everything
Victor Wembanyamas early-2025 blood clot scare did more than end his 2024-25 season with the Spurs ahead of schedule. It also forced a reset in how he sees himself, both as a player and as a person, and he has been open about the way the health issue changed his outlook on life and basketball.
For San Antonio, the most striking part is how that experience appears to have carried over into his day-to-day presence with the team. Wembanyama says he has become more expressive and emotionally engaged, and he has linked the ordeal to both personal growth and better play, a reminder that the biggest developments around a young star are not always measured in points or blocks. [Read more 🡒]
Wembanyama Brought A Wild Halloween Look To Wolves Night
Victor Wembanyama turned the pregame scene into part costume party, part pop-culture nod before the Spurs took on the Timberwolves, showing up dressed as Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher. It fit neatly with his well-known interest in fantasy literature, and it also continued a Halloween tradition that has become a little annual subplot around the Spurs, with other players joining in on the fun.
For San Antonio, the timing added a bit of extra color to a night that came with some momentum after a recent winning streak. Wembanyamas third Halloween-themed NBA arrival was less about the game itself than the personality around it, the kind of detail that makes a young star feel larger than the box score before the opening tip. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Have A Delicate Balance As Wembanyama And Fox Roll
While Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox have helped keep San Antonio moving in the right direction, the Spurs are still managing the health side of the ledger carefully. Head coach Mitch Johnson said the team is taking a methodical, patient approach with Harris as he works back from a calf strain, a reminder that the early part of the season is about more than just the standings for a team trying to build something sustainable.
Wembanyama is still producing at a career-best scoring pace even while dealing with shooting struggles, and Fox continues to look like a steadying force at point guard after turning in a strong all-around line with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Stephon Castle also showed his toughness by playing through a migraine in a recent game, which speaks to the competitive edge inside the locker room, but the Spurs know the bigger picture depends on keeping the rotation intact and getting everyone back to full strength at the right time. [Read more 🡒]