The rivalry between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about storylines in the NBA.
The two young stars, both towering at over seven feet tall, have captivated fans with their unique skill set. However, Wembanyama’s approach to this rivalry has raised eyebrows: he reportedly refuses to even acknowledge Holmgren’s name.
ESPN’s Michael C. Wright revealed that Wembanyama takes the rivalry so seriously that he avoids mentioning Holmgren by name, opting instead to talk about the matchups in general terms.
“Victor will not even say the man’s name.” 😳 @malika_andrews with Michael C. Wright on the Victor Wembanyama-Chet Holmgren rivalry 👀 pic.twitter.com/gf5tkwmrHs
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 30, 2024
The two players first faced off at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2021, where Holmgren’s team triumphed over Wembanyama’s squad. This loss has stayed with Wembanyama, who has described it as the “worst memory” of his young basketball career. Since then, their matchups have been highly competitive, with Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder currently holding a 6-1 edge over Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the competitive nature of their encounters, Holmgren has emphasized that there is no animosity between them.
“We’re out there competing, but beef? Like, beef means when I see you we’re fighting. Why do I got beef with him? I honestly don’t even know the guy,” Holmgren said on Paul George’s “Playoff P” podcast last season.
Victor Wembanyama’s start to the season has been subpar, especially in comparison to Chet Holmgren’s impressive performances. While Wembanyama has struggled with consistency on offense and faced criticism for his defensive positioning, Holmgren has been excelling, leading his team to victories and showcasing his all-around skills. The contrast between their performances has been stark, with Holmgren’s strong start putting additional pressure on Wembanyama to improve.
