Wemby signals his politics as he’s spotted with dystopian novel 1984 at Finals (original) (raw)

Much like his mentor Gregg Popovich, Victor Wembanyama has found creative ways to signal his progressive views. Credit: Instagram / @wemby

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has sent recent signals about his progressive political views, even if he’s shared some of them in a subtle way.

In a move some might see as a subtle act of resistance, he entered Game 1 of the finals in a sharp look while carrying a paperback copy of lifelong socialist George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984.

Eagle-eyed fans at the Bibliotech Public Library spotted the banned book in the 7-foot-4 forward’s hand and used the moment to introduce his fans to the classic novel via an Instagram post.

“This book remains relevant despite its publishing in 1949 and continues to be a contested book in libraries across the world,” Bibliotech wrote in the post’s caption.

Could Wemby influence his legions of fans to read a work warning about mass surveillance, thought crimes, Newspeak, totalitarianism and other themes that sound eerily familiar in the context of the present day?

Who knows, but Wemby’s history of subtle — and not so subtle — political expression suggests that the choice is deliberate.

After all, this isn’t Wemby’s first dance when it comes to making a political statement.

Last week, the French-born player was spotted in an Arab garment called a thobe in celebration of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, which some interpreted as solidarity with the Muslim community.

Victor Wembanyama confirms he wore the thobe in honour of Eid al-Adha.

Eid Mubarak to Wemby, and to all the Muslim Spurs fans. ❤️🌙

May Allah SWT guide him ان شاء الله pic.twitter.com/wzqMHCbOCx

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) May 29, 2026

Earlier this year, Wemby also spoke out against ICE, despite saying he’d received warnings not to from the Spurs’ public relations office.

“PR has tried, but I’m not going to sit here and give some politically correct [answer],” he said at a January press conference. “Every day, I wake up and see the news, and I’m horrified.”

“It’s crazy that some people make it seem like the murder of civilians is acceptable,” the star player said tactfully but unmistakably, after federal immigration agents killed Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Though not as outspoken as his mentor and former coach Gregg Popovich, it’s increasingly clear Wemby finds ways to take a stand.

Seems as if the generation hoops talent is pulling off some intricate footwork, and we don’t just mean on the court. Perhaps he already knows that Big Brother is, in fact, always watching.

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Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.