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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
Victor Wembanyama is celebrating his Rookie of the Year season with furry footwear.
The San Antonio Spurs center brought a player edition of the Nike Hustle GT nicknamed “Wookiee of the Year” to the team’s home opener Saturday against the Houston Rockets.
The kicks are a nod to “Wookiees,” the species of tall, furry animals in the “Star Wars” series — the most famous of whom is Chewbacca.
Wembayama said on a June 2023 episode of “The Old Man and the Three” podcast that “Star Wars” was his favorite movie.
He ranked “Revenge of the Sith” as his favorite film in the series, followed by “Attack of the Clones” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” In May, he listed his Star Wars starting five with Chewbacca at center and Yoda at point guard.
Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in his rookie season, becoming the sixth unanimous Rookie of the Year winner.
But he struggled in his first game of the season Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. Wembanyama had 17 points and nine rebounds on 27.8% shooting.