Victor Wembanyama Motivated By Chet Holmgren's NBA Title

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has started the 2025-26 NBA season in dominant form, leading his team to an undefeated start and emerging as an early MVP candidate. His motivation, as reported by ESPN's Marc Spears, stems from a rivalry with Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, who won an NBA championship last season, a title Wembanyama has yet to claim. This competitive drive traces back to their youth, notably the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup where Holmgren's team defeated Wembanyama's. Despite Holmgren missing his rookie NBA season due to injury, both players effectively began their professional careers simultaneously in 2023, with Wembanyama widely regarded as the superior talent. Holmgren acknowledges the ongoing rivalry but emphasizes playing within the flow of the game rather than focusing solely on their personal competition. The Spurs' star is reportedly on a "vengeance tour," fueled by this rivalry and his offseason training with legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett.