Victor Wembanyama Turned Down Million-Dollar Deals to Set a Better Example
As Victor Wembanyama continues to shine on the NBA's biggest stage, his influence off the court also continues to grow. By becoming a major name in the world of basketball, every move of the San Antonio Spurs star will be closely monitored. However, Wemby understands what is right for him and what is not.
The 22-year-old is widely considered the future face of the NBA. He is already making headlines after leading the Spurs to the first NBA Finals since 2014. As Wembanyama prepares for Game 2 against the New York Knicks, a major detail about his off-the-court life has emerged.
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic's Jarod Weiss, Wemby's agent Jeremy Medjana revealed how the NBA star has rejected multiple deals worth millions of dollars before he ever entered the NBA. "We're not gonna mix his image with sodas like Coca-Cola," Medjana said. The agent suggests through his words that Wemby doesn't wish to be associated with any brand that is unhealthy.
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— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 5, 2026
"I'm not gonna give basketball a choice of who the face is going to be."
Is Victor Wembanyama the next face of the NBA? That's hardly the question anymore. It's whether he can become the next… pic.twitter.com/yqjAlj3Xyp
He further added, "They all want him, but Victor will never sell soda. Because he doesn't want to kill the kids." The Spurs star had the same mentality even when he was earning $150,000 while playing professionally in France. Medjana, who co-founded Agence Comsport alongside Bouna Ndiaye, has been representing Wemby since the NBA star was 13 years old.
The philosophy has remained the same even after Wembanyama has become one of the NBA's most notable faces. According to Weiss, the 7-foot-4 center routinely refuses to appear alongside sports drinks during media sessions. When Gatorade bottles are placed in front of him at a press conference, he often waits for the team staff to remove them before speaking.
Earlier this year, after briefly sitting down before noticing the bottles, Wembanyama reportedly exclaimed, "Oh, hell no! Who put that there?" before tossing them under the table. His approach stands in stark contrast to his NBA colleagues. LeBron James has maintained a partnership since 2021 with PepsiCo, while Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards serves as a brand ambassador for Sprite, one of Coca-Cola's flagship brands.
Meanwhile, the NBA itself announced a multiyear sponsorship agreement with Coca-Cola earlier this year. While many young stars aggressively pursue endorsement deals, Wembanyama's camp has intentionally limited his exposure to also ensure his focus is on basketball.
And that strategy seems to be working as he is currently in the NBA Finals. Wemby opened the series with 26 points while also adding 12 rebounds in Game 1. He has averaged 23.3 points per game in the first postseason of his NBA career. For a player determined to set a better example, the results are speaking just as loudly as the message.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 9:56 AM.