Victor Wembanyama the 20-year-old French sensation has taken the NBA by storm. The towering Frenchman, who has broken several records in his rookie season, has captured the world’s attention and drawn praise from some of the greatest to grace the basketball court.
The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft has quickly become the face of the San Antonio Spurs. Along with the spotlight came a lucrative payday, as the star inked his rookie NBA contract. He signed a 4-year deal with the Spurs, with the first two years guaranteed and the final two as team options. According to reports, the contract is valued at approximately $55.2 million over the four-year span.
He is set to earn approximately $12.7 million for the upcoming 2024-25 season, with his annual salary climbing to $16.9 million by the 2026-27 season. This contract represents the largest possible deal under the NBA’s current labor agreement, and he’s already making it seem like a bargain. For comparison, the second overall pick, Brandon Miller, signed a 4-year contract worth $49.4 million, while the third overall pick, Scoot Henderson, inked a 4-year deal valued at $44.4 million.
Wemby’s net worth in 2024 is reportedly around $10 million but the numbers could change very soon. He will earn over $50 million just from his salary. Some reports even suggest that Wembanyama is en route to becoming the first billionaire hooper just from his salaries. Let’s take a closer look at how the young sensation might achieve this remarkable feat.
Can Victor Wembanyama become a billionaire from his NBA paychecks alone?
No hooper has ever become a billionaire from just NBA salaries. There have been billionaire basketball players such as the great Michael Jordan and LeBron James. However, these two have achieved this milestone majorly because of their off-the-court deals and endorsements, such as with Nike. But, all of this could change if Victor Wembanyama can crack the $1 billion mark just through his paychecks.
The Spurs star had a historic rookie season and many experts and fans envision Wemby to end his career with multiple MVPs and Defensive Player of the Year awards. If he stays healthy and can keep up with his performances, it could also see him become the first billionaire on the court. Let’s do some math to figure out how can he achieve this historic mark.
Wemby will earn around $55.2 million in the first 4 years of his career. After his rookie deal ends, he will be eligible for a 5-year rookie max extension deal which could see him earn around $316 million. Following this, if he shines on the court and can maintain his health, he could be on the verge of a so-called supermax contract worth $529 million over five years. These three contracts will see him amass a huge sum of around $900 million.
A second supermax contract will see him cross the $1 Billion mark in just the first season itself. Such a contract would be around $760 Million over five years according to Bloomberg. So, at 33, Wemby could become a billionaire just off his salary alone. According to the man himself, “It’s not something I’ve thought before” he told Bloomberg, adding, “It widens the range of possibilities and impact I can have.” He can go on to become the legend of the modern game and etch his name in history books not only from his game but also by achieving this milestone.
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