SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 27: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs congratulates Harrison Barnes #40 after a basket against the Toronto Raptors in second half at Frost Bank Center on October 27, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
The San Antonio Spurs have plenty of talented players, but Victor Wembanyama stands out both on and off the court. The 7-foot French center dominates with his shot-blocking and ball-handling, but there’s another side to him that teammates are discovering: he’s a serious reader. When he’s not managing the court, Wembanyama shares his passion for books with Spurs forward Harrison Barnes, and the two have built something unexpected in an NBA locker room.
The pair started a book club. Yes, really. Victor Wembanyama and Barnes recently confirmed on social media that they’ve been reading together, bonding over novels by fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson and tackling George Orwell’s “1984.” The thing is, Wembanyama reads in both French and English, which means he’s absorbing literature on a different level than most. Right now, he’s about 300 pages ahead of Barnes on their current selection, practically sprinting through the dystopian classic.
Barnes was candid about their membership situation. “We’ve had some people that have received books, who I won’t say and have not read them,” he admitted. It’s a relatable problem for any book club, even one inside an NBA organization. Getting professional athletes to commit to a curated reading list is apparently tougher than winning games.
What’s worth noting is how the internet responded. Fans wanted in. Comments flooded social media asking how to join this exclusive literary circle. “I wanna join the book club!!! Where can I sign up???” one person wrote. Others saw something bigger here: two high-profile athletes modeling intellectual curiosity for young fans who usually only hear about their scoring averages and highlight reels.
“These are the type of role models needed and other than stats it would be cool if kids knew this fact,” someone else posted. It’s a fair point. In a world where athletes are often reduced to their statistics, Wembanyama and Barnes are quietly showing that depth exists beyond the box score.
The San Antonio Public Library has caught on to the buzz. They’ve launched a “Read Like Wemby” campaign featuring a curated reading list inspired by Wembanyama’s interests in science fiction and history. The collection includes Stephen King’s “The Outsider” and N.K. Jemisin’s “The World We Make,” giving fans a genuine entry point into his world.
It’s the kind of moment that humanizes professional sports in a way that feels genuine. Two athletes reading Orwell and Sanderson between practices and games. It won’t make ESPN highlight reels, but it matters.
★tr★
