San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama is facing growing uproar over his national anthem etiquette after being mysteriously absent for The Star-Spangled Banner before Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden.
‘I believe he stood in the tunnel or the locker room during the national anthem,’ podcaster Jason Whitlock said. ‘No one talked about it. ABC ignored it.’
Previously, the 22-year-old Frenchman was criticized after Game 1 in San Antonio when he was seen with his arms folded across his 7ft 5in frame as the song was played. Asked about Wembanyama’s posture, President Donald Trump admitted he hadn’t caught that moment on TV, but urged reporters to press the issue with the Spurs center.
Two nights later, Wembanyama struck a prayerful pose by holding his hands together during the song as his teammates placed theirs over their hearts or at their sides. But before Games 3 and 4, Wembanyama’s distinctive silhouette was conspicuously absent from the Spurs’ lineup of players. The Daily Mail has sought comment from Spurs spokespeople.
The NBA does require all teams to stand in a dignified posture for the anthem(s) before every game. But like other rules, such as coaching dress codes, the league has taken a more passive approach on enforcement in recent years. Whereas Denver’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended one game for refusing to stand for the anthem in 1996, the NBA allowed its players to kneel in protest of racist police brutality after George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
The Daily Mail has sought comment from the NBA on Wembanyama’s presence during the anthem and whether he could face any penalty.
Victor Wembanyama stood with his arms folded across his 7ft 5in frame before Game 1
Victor Wembanyama was seen in a prayer position during the national anthem on Friday
Wembanyama was conspicuously absent from the Spurs’ lineup during the Game 4 anthem. His fellow seven-footers Mason Plumlee, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk are visible at MSG
The flames of controversy have been fanned by Dan Zaksheske of Fox News’ conservative sports website, Outkick. It was Zaksheske who first raised the issue with Trump aboard Air Force One, but he now writes that the issue is much bigger than himself and his editors.
‘Fox News Digital and OutKick stories on this issue have generated significant audience interest, and social media posts about the controversy have drawn widespread reaction, which suggests plenty of people do care,’ Zaksheske wrote.
And many have already made up their mind about Wembanyama.
‘The dude can’t even respect the American National Anthem being sung,’ one critic wrote on X after Game 1.
Outside of Luke Kornet and Mason Plumlee, who placed their hands over their hearts, most of the Spurs positioned their arms at their sides during the performance.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Wisconsin
This also infuriated online critics.
‘Spurs players REFUSE to put their hands over their hearts for the national anthem!’ online influencer Matt Wallace wrote on X. ‘They are making millions of dollars to play a child’s game and still feel oppressed somehow…
‘Only 2 players covered their hearts. Take note of which ones!’
The post came across Stephen A. Smith’s attention, prompting the ESPN host to issue a scathing response to Wallace.
‘This is patently false,’ Smith wrote. ‘There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects.
‘Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!’
Wembanyama’s decision to pray during Game 2’s anthem also angered Wallace, who accused the NBA’s Reigning Defensive Player of the Year of covering his face.
‘Victor Wembanyama covers his face during the national anthem!’ Wallace wrote on X. ‘This is the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen a foreign player do while playing in the United States. Unbelievable.’
The Nuggets’ Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is seen praying before a 1995 NBA game in Denver
Interestingly, Abdul-Rauf compromised with the NBA in 1996 by standing in prayer during the anthem after his suspension. He then left the league to play professionally in Turkey and told The Daily Mail in 2023 that he has no regrets about his decision.
It’s unclear if something similar could play out with the Spurs star. Wembanyama does not identify with any specific religion but was seen wearing a traditional Middle Eastern garment during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
And although he has never visibly protested during the anthem, Wembanyama has expressed concerns about the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and US immigration enforcement. He was admittedly ‘horrified’ to see Border Patrol shooting and killing Alex J. Pretti in Minneapolis back in January, noting that the Spurs PR team has tried to keep him quiet on the issue.
‘PR has tried, but I’m not going to sit here and give something politically correct,’ he told reporters. ‘Every day I wake up and see the news, and I’m horrified. I think it’s crazy that some people make it seem like or make it sound like it’s acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable.
‘I read the news, and sometimes I’m asking very deep questions about my own life. I’m conscious also that saying everything that’s on my mind would have a cost that’s too great for me right now. So, I’d rather not get into too many details.’
Knicks fans threw objects at Victor Wembanyama at the San Antonio Spurs hotel in New York
Wembanyama also admitted to fearing for his safety in the US.
‘It’s terrible,’ he told reporters in January. ‘I know I’m a foreigner and live in this country. I am concerned for sure.’
Hostile Knicks fans did throw objects at Wembanyama when he and his San Antonio teammates returned to their hotel after their Game 4 collapse, but there is no indication that incident is related to the anthem controversy.
After blowing a historic 29-point lead in Wednesday’s humbling defeat, the Spurs now trail the Knicks 3-1 as the best-of-seven series shifts to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday.
The national anthem is scheduled to be performed minutes before the 8:30pm EST tip-off.
