AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTMr. Wembanyama has had to keep a low profile while in New York to try and win the N.B.A. finals, but on visits there, he has always resisted hiding in hotel rooms and private cars.Listen · 4:58 min On visits to New York City, Victor Wembanyama has played chess in Washington Square Park, taken the subway and drawn in Gramercy Park.Credit...Al Bello/Getty ImagesJune 10, 2026Before Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, the San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama wanted to disconnect and get some fresh air.But in New York City you can try to disconnect all you want — the city will still find you.

Especially if you are the 7-foot-4 superstar in town to take on the Knicks.So on Sunday afternoon, as he sat in Gramercy Park sketching a statue, someone saw him and shot a video from several yards away. The quiet moment instantly went viral.Mr. Wembanyama, 22, has long had a fascination with New York City, a place he saw in movies and television shows when he was growing up in a suburb of Paris near the Palace of Versailles.

But his quest to win an N.B.A. championship stands in opposition to the desires of many of the city’s residents. They want the Knicks to win this year’s championship. Mr. Wembanyama is attempting to lead his team back from what’s now a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series.“The Playoffs, it’s like a — I don’t know how to say that word — a whirlwind,” said Mr.

Wembanyama, who taught himself English years ago to prepare for playing in the N.B.A., at a news conference on Monday night. “It’s hard to put your head out of the water. Sometimes I don’t even get to watch the game back right away. I need some time off, let my brain cool down, recover.

Recover as much for the body as for the mind.”This trip hasn’t lent itself to much sightseeing. The outing to Gramercy Park was one of the few moments when he was able to spend time in one of the city’s institutions, beyond the hours he has spent at Madison Square Garden.

Mostly, he has been resting his body and getting treatment on the bumps and bruises that come with playing in a physically taxing playoff series.Tania Ganguli writes about money, power and influence in sports and how it impacts the broader culture.AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT