French NBA star Victor “Wemby” Wembanyama is a 22-year-old phenom who has quickly become one of the league’s most beloved and wholesome figures.
Standing 7-foot-4, Wemby is known for arriving at basketball arenas with a novel in hand, often reading quietly before tipoff. And when he’s not reading, you might find him meditating, drawing in a park, or training with monks in China’s Henan province (yes, really).
Wemby is known to love fantasy and science fiction books the most, and he typically reads books in French, his native language.
“One of my hobbies happens to be reading fantasy books. It’s the one thing that allows me, more than anything, to escape from the real world,” he said.
His love for reading has sparked interest and conversations in both the sports and literary worlds. You can follow accounts like @wembybooks to keep up with his latest reads.
What Wemby’s Reading
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
This is the third installment of Sanderson’s epic Stormlight Archive series. The novel follows heroes struggling with war, leadership, and personal redemption in a richly detailed fantasy world filled with magic and ancient mysteries.
Alchemised by SenLinYu
A dark fantasy novel that blends magic, mystery, and political intrigue. Known for its immersive storytelling and emotional depth, it’s a natural fit for readers who enjoy complex fantasy worlds.
1984 by George Orwell
Orwell’s classic dystopian novel explores a society ruled by constant surveillance and authoritarian control. Decades after its publication, it remains one of the most influential works of political fiction.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
The second book in the Mistborn trilogy. After overthrowing a seemingly invincible ruler, the story examines what it takes to build and protect a new society while facing threats from both within and outside its walls.
Le Magasin des Suicides by Jean Teulé
A dark comedy about a family that runs a shop specializing in helping customers end their lives. The story takes an unexpected turn when an unusually cheerful child challenges the family’s gloomy worldview.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Orwell’s famous allegorical novella uses a rebellion among farm animals to explore how power can corrupt even the most idealistic movements.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Another entry in the Stormlight Archive, this novel expands the series’ sprawling world while diving deeper into the journeys of its central characters and the mysteries surrounding their magical abilities.
Crénom, Baudelaire! by Jean Teulé
A lively and unconventional look at the life of renowned French poet Charles Baudelaire. Teulé brings humor and energy to the story of one of France’s most influential literary figures.
Inspiring a Love for Reading
Wembanyama’s reading habit has inspired others to pick up books as well. In San Antonio, the public library created a “Read Like Wemby” section featuring books he has been seen reading.
He’s also taken an active role in promoting literacy throughout the community. In 2024, Wembanyama visited the International School of San Antonio, where he read to students and encouraged young people to develop a love of reading.
As Wembanyama put it, reading “opens worlds for them and for me too.”
For a generation of fans who look up to him for his basketball talent, Wemby is proving that curiosity, imagination, and a good book can be just as inspiring as anything that happens on the court.
