SAN ANTONIO — The "Wemby Effect" is real!
San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama is taking the NBA world by storm, even sparking interest and engagement from fans around the world. It's especially true, unsurprisingly, in his home country of France, where fans are devouring all things Wemby.
The numbers prove it. According to the NBA, there have been 377 million video views across NBA Social and the NBA App since Oct. 1, most among players. That number includes 499,000 video views on NBA France's Facebook in the first 24 hours after his first win, the most in the last five years on that page.
There's also been a 200% increase in live viewership for Spurs games on League Pass in France. And: his jersey is selling. It took just three months for Wembanyama's Spurs jersey to reach No. 2 in sales on the NBA's European online store.
Wembanyama put on a show in Thursday's win over the Suns, scoring 38 points and becoming the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992 to accumulate 100 points, 40 rebounds and 10 blocks in his first five games.
RELATED: OMG! Spurs' Victor Wembanyama dominates the Suns; Visit with Dr. Ryan McCorkle | Locked On Spurs
Thursday's 38-point outburst tied Wembanyama for third-most in a game by a Spurs rookie all-time. He and the Spurs will next face the Raptors in San Antonio on Sunday afternoon.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5