Victor Wembanyama Scammed by a 5-Year-Old? 

Victor Wembanyama, the 7’4” French sensation and the most exciting rookie in the NBA, has had an eventful season. From incredible performances on the court to his unfortunate injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year, Wemby has been in the headlines for all kinds of reasons. But one of the strangest and most unexpected stories involving him recently? Getting “scammed” by a 5-year-old in a jersey swap that ended up making the kid’s family over $273,000.

The Viral Jersey Swap Moment

It all started on December 27th, when the San Antonio Spurs played a game against the Brooklyn Nets. A young Spurs fan, sitting courtside, held up a sign asking Wembanyama for a jersey swap. The heartwarming moment quickly went viral, with Wemby giving away his light blue City Edition jersey to the child, making it seem like an innocent and wholesome act of generosity.

For a moment, the internet celebrated the exchange, viewing it as yet another example of the NBA’s connection with its youngest fans. However, no one could have predicted what would happen just a few weeks later.

The Jersey Hits the Auction Block

Less than a month after receiving the jersey, the child’s parents contacted Goldin Auctions—one of the largest sports memorabilia auction houses—to put Wembanyama’s game-worn jersey up for sale. The news broke in late January, and the backlash was immediate. Fans were outraged, questioning how the parents could take advantage of what was meant to be a touching and genuine moment between an athlete and a young fan.

The backlash was so intense that Goldin Auctions had to disable the comments on their announcement post due to the overwhelming criticism from fans. Even Wembanyama himself seemed taken aback by the news, reacting on social media with a crying emoji on Twitter. Despite the controversy, the auction proceeded as planned.

The Bidding War & The Final Price

The bidding for Wembanyama’s jersey started at $110,000 on January 22nd. Over the next few weeks, the price skyrocketed, with fans and collectors eager to get their hands on this one-of-a-kind item. Ultimately, just three days after Wembanyama was ruled out for the season, the auction concluded with the jersey selling for a staggering $273,200.

This sale made the young fan’s jersey one of the most valuable Wembanyama memorabilia items ever sold—and likely one of the highest-valued jerseys from a rookie in NBA history.

The Ethical Dilemma: Was It a Scam?

Many NBA fans felt betrayed, believing the child’s family had exploited Wembanyama’s kindness for financial gain. Some questioned whether the child even had a say in the decision to auction the jersey. Others defended the parents, arguing that a quarter of a million dollars is an opportunity that few would pass up.

Some financial experts even speculated that if the parents invested the money wisely—for example, putting it into a stock market portfolio—it could grow to over $300,000 by the time the child turns 18. While this argument doesn’t excuse the controversy, it does raise an interesting debate on the ethics of such a sale.

Goldin Auctions Stays Silent

Despite the outrage, Goldin Auctions has refused to comment on the motivations behind the sale, nor have the child’s parents spoken publicly about their decision. The lack of transparency has only fueled more speculation and anger from fans who believe the parents prioritized profit over integrity.

Lessons from the Wemby Jersey Scandal

This incident serves as a cautionary tale in the world of sports memorabilia and fan interactions. While players often gift jerseys, shoes, and other items to young fans out of goodwill, this case raises questions about whether these moments are always as genuine as they seem.

For Wembanyama, it’s an unfortunate reminder that even seemingly heartwarming gestures can be manipulated for financial gain. Despite the situation, the young French superstar continues to focus on his recovery and future in the NBA.

As for the lucky 5-year-old and his family? Well, they just made over a quarter of a million dollars—thanks to a simple sign and a generous rookie. Not a bad deal.