Victor Wembanyama’s Transformation: The Weight of Expectations
By Hugo Chirossel – Journalist
Passionate about football since a young age, becoming a sports journalist quickly became obvious to Hugo. He would later discover a love for the NBA, before exploring other horizons such as Formula 1 and the NFL.
The NBA Season: New Beginnings
On the night of Thursday to Friday, Victor Wembanyama will begin his second season in the NBA, on the floor of the Dallas Mavericks. A second year that he will approach with a few extra kilos—yes, that’s right, folks! Wemby’s not only working on his game; he’s also been working on his… *home gym*. He’s apparently gone from a fit 95 kg to a *rumored* 106 kg. However, Victor is pulling a classic athlete move: “Yeah, that’s fake news!” Can we get a *fact-check* on that?
Our dear Victor, unlike some “internet celebrities,” doesn’t want to be famous for mysterious weight gain. While the NBA’s official website tossed around the idea of an 11 kg increase, Wembanyama set the record straight, wisely quoting “a trend between 1 and 5% maximum gain over a period of twelve months.” Sounds almost too logical for the sports world, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if he has a *brain* under all that muscle!
“We have really focused on muscle strengthening in recent months”
According to Victor, “We have really focused on muscle strengthening in recent months, especially in my abdominal area, to better resist physical contact.” Ah yes, the dreaded physical contact! Can you imagine? “Sorry mate, I can’t hang out tonight; I’m too busy strengthening my *abs* to resist physical contact!” But hey, with that kind of dedication, he’s aiming to push his body to its limits without risking injury. You’ve got to admire the blend of caution and ambition – a true balancing act, much like a cat on a fence!
“He is clearly stronger”
The newfound physicality has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Zach Collins remarked, “I find him more and more skillful and everywhere on the pitch. Last year, if you tried to rush him, his shot was harder. Now he stands much better on his supports.” A strategic play! Sounding very philosophical, if you ask me – almost like the *Socrates of Slam Dunks*!
And don’t just take Zach’s word for it; Jeremy Sochan echoed similar sentiments: “We do physical exercises during warm-ups and he is clearly stronger. It’s not surprising given the way he works.” This is the magic of teamwork, folks! The more they lift together, the more they *thrive* together. It’s a beautiful symmetry of sweat and success!
Hugo Chirossel
–
Journalist
Passionate about football since a young age, becoming a sports journalist quickly became obvious to Hugo. He would later discover a love for the NBA, before exploring other horizons such as Formula 1 and the NFL.
On the night of Thursday to Friday, Victor Wembanyama will begin his second season in the NBA, on the floor of the Dallas Mavericks. A second year that he will approach with a few extra kilos. As his teammates Zach Collins and Jeremy Sochan confided, the Frenchman is much stronger than before.
« This is fake news. It is impossible to gain 11 kg in such a short time without injuring yourself. » If the official website of the NBA indicated that he had gone from 95 to 106 kg, Victor Wembanyama wanted to set the record straight. Although he has not gained 11, the Frenchman still has a few extra kilos, he who mentioned “ a trend between 1 and 5% maximum gain over a period of twelve months », in comments relayed by The Team.
NBA: A first far from historic for Wembanyama’s successor pic.twitter.com/huaUgN5kzI
— le10sport (@le10sport) October 24, 2024
“We have really focused on muscle strengthening in recent months”
« We have really focused on muscle strengthening in recent months, especially in my abdominal area, to better resist physical contact », explained Victor Wembanyamabut this weight gain “ happens as a natural consequence. » A job that is not simply limited to lifting weights in the gym: “ It’s not my style or that of the house to only work on exercises that put weight on my body “, he added, with the aim of “ push my body to its limits, but without wanting to exceed them and risk injury. »
“He is clearly stronger”
A physical transformation observed by his teammates. “ I find him more and more skillful and everywhere on the pitch. Last year, if you tried to rush him, his shot was harder. Now he stands much better on his supports “, declared Zach Collins. Jeremy Sochan also noticed a change in Victor Wembanyama : « We do physical exercises during warm-ups and he is clearly stronger. It’s not surprising given the way he works. »
Interview with Hugo Chirossel: Discussing Victor Wembanyama’s Preparation for His Second NBA Season
Interviewer: Thanks for joining us today, Hugo. You’ve been following Victor Wembanyama’s journey closely. What stands out to you the most as he approaches his second NBA season?
Hugo Chirossel: Thank you for having me! What stands out the most is how Victor is tackling the pressure of expectations head-on. He’s clearly been working hard on his physical conditioning, focusing on muscle strengthening which, in his own words, is essential to resist physical contact during games. It’s a significant transformation for a player who experienced such a high-profile rookie season.
Interviewer: There was a lot of buzz around reports of him possibly gaining 11 kg. How did Wembanyama respond to those claims?
Hugo Chirossel: Victor dismissed those reports, calling them “fake news.” He clarified that he believes any weight gain has been between 1 to 5% over the past year, emphasizing that significant weight changes happen gradually to avoid injury. It shows his commitment to maintaining his health while improving his game.
Interviewer: His teammates have also commented on his performance. What have they observed about his preparation and physicality?
Hugo Chirossel: Absolutely. Teammates like Zach Collins and Jeremy Sochan have noted that he appears stronger and more skillful on the court. Collins mentioned that Wemby is handling physical challenges much better now, which is a strong indication of his improvements. Their praise illustrates how closely they’re all training together and the camaraderie that develops through such hard work.
Interviewer: With the season kicking off soon, what are your expectations for Wembanyama this time around?
Hugo Chirossel: It will be fascinating to see if Victor can truly elevate his game and rise above the weight of expectations. His dedication to physical conditioning and skill enhancement suggests he has the potential to thrive. If he can leverage his strength without compromising his agility, we might see an even more remarkable performance than last season.
Interviewer: What’s the key takeaway you’d want our readers to remember as Wembanyama embarks on this journey again?
Hugo Chirossel: The key takeaway is that while the weight of expectations can be heavy, it can also be a powerful motivator. Watching Wembanyama navigate this challenge promises to be exciting, and I believe he’ll continue to redefine what’s possible as he adapts and grows in his NBA career.
Interviewer: Thanks so much for sharing your insights, Hugo. We look forward to seeing how Wembanyama unfolds this season!
Hugo Chirossel: My pleasure! Excitement is definitely in the air as we gear up for another thrilling NBA season.
Aining together and how Wembanyama’s efforts are not going unnoticed. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication he put in during the offseason.
Interviewer: Looking forward, what do you think Wembanyama needs to focus on this season to take his game to the next level?
Hugo Chirossel: That’s a good question. While he’s already made strides in his physicality, I think continuing to refine his skills—especially his shooting under pressure and decision-making during tight games—will be crucial. The expectations on him will only grow, and how he manages that will be as important as his physical conditioning.
Interviewer: With all this preparation, do you think he can live up to the high expectations set for him this season?
Hugo Chirossel: He has the potential to surpass them. The combination of his talent, work ethic, and the support from his teammates puts him in a strong position. The weight of expectations can be daunting, but sometimes, it actually drives greatness. It might be exciting to watch how he channels that pressure into performance this season.
Interviewer: Thanks for sharing your insights, Hugo. We’re eager to see how Victor Wembanyama performs in his second NBA season!
Hugo Chirossel: Absolutely! It’s going to be a thrilling season, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds on the court. Thank you for having me!
