Victor Wembanyama Makes Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2026, and the Spotlight Just Keeps Growing
If you’ve been paying attention to basketball news, you already know the San Antonio Spurs hit the jackpot with the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery by selecting French phenom Victor Wembanyama with the top pick. Here’s a fresh reminder of just how far that decision has carried him.
In his third season with the Spurs, the 21-year-old superstar has earned a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2026.
Forbes’ profile on Wembanyama notes that he was widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent when he went No. 1 in the 2023 NBA draft. It highlights his Rookie of the Year honors, a runner-up finish for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and an All-Star appearance in his second season before a shoulder issue sidelined him due to deep vein thrombosis.
The feature also sheds light on Wembanyama’s broader endeavors, including business interests and Spurs-related initiatives: he’s an investor in Barcode sports drinks and led an effort to create a European-style fan seating section at the Spurs’ home arena.
Among others on the 2026 list, only one other NBA star earned the honor: reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The list also includes athletes connected to Texas teams, such as Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady and WNBA guard Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, a Houston native, was also named to the list.
Wembanyama remains sidelined after suffering a left calf strain from the November 14 game against the Golden State Warriors. He will sit out his eighth straight game as the Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies. There’s rising chatter about whether he’ll be ready in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10.
All the attention in December suggests Wembanyama is very much in the public’s good graces this season. Spurs fans are hoping for a swift return to the court as Christmas approaches.
But here’s where it gets controversial: should a player’s off-court ventures and marketability weigh as heavily as on-court performance when recognizing young stars? And this is the part most people miss—how players handle injuries and long-term health can dramatically shape their career trajectory. Do these factors justify expanding the criteria for future lists beyond pure statistics and headlines? Share your thoughts in the comments.
