Sports
Victor Wembanyama gets emotional as NBA Rookie of the Year winners congratulate him in surprise fashion
Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is this year’s Rookie of the Year after a stellar debut season in the Association.
Wembanyama enters an elite club of Rookie of the Year winners who have developed into legends of the game, some of whom are still in the NBA.
To celebrate this achievement, Fanatics decided to invite “Wemby” to take a look at a special exhibit called “Fanatics Beginnings,” which he believed was simply looking at memorabilia from past Rookie of the Year winners.
Victor Wembanyama listens to video message from Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (Fanatics)
Little did he know the entire exhibit was just for him.
As Wembanyama began looking through the rookie cards of Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Durant among others, the exhibit started to come to life. It began with Jason Kidd’s voice being heard from his Dallas Mavericks case, where the mouth started to move on the screen.
“Victor, hey, Jason Kidd here,” the picture said as Wemby stood there stunned.
“Vic, how you doing man? This is Vince Carter here,” the next voice said.
Finally, LeBron James said, “Yo, what’s up Wemby?” From there, the lights dimmed and video messages from past Rookie of the Year winners began popping up all over the exhibit.
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“Hey Victor, just want to say congratulations on a fantastic rookie season,” Grant Hill said. “I watched you come in with all the hype and all the talk. You’ve lived up to it.”
Fellow Spur David Robinson also had a message for Wembanyama.
“You’ve represented the Spurs, you’ve represented yourself, you’ve represented France. Everybody,” he explained.
Victor Wembanyama listens to video message from LeBron James (Fanatics)
Everyone from Iverson, to Carter, to O’Neal, to Pau Gasol gave their praise for Wembanyama, who led the entire NBA in blocks this season (3.6 per game) while leading all rookies with 21.4 points per contest as well.
“You will, when it’s all said and done, be one of the greatest big men ever,” O’Neal said.
At this point, the 20-year-old Wembanyama was clearly getting emotional listening to the message, and then LeBron James — the 2003 Rookie of the Year with the Cleveland Cavaliers — popped up on the screen.
“Just want to say congratulations to you, man,” he said. “Happy to have you a part of the beautiful league. Keep doing you. Keep getting better. Want to say congratulations to you, man. Rookie of the Year. Well deserved.
Fanatics surprised 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year with various winners of the award congratulating him during a surprise exhibit. (Fanatics)
“This is just the beginning.”
Wembanyama couldn’t believe the love he got from NBA legends and Hall of Famers, but he deserves his flowers after living up to all the hype he received before joining the NBA out of France.
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Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.
Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.
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To Reach Quarterfinals
France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard.
Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.
The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates after the Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to win the NL pennant in 1981.
(Associated Press)
Years as manager: 1976-1996
Record: 1,599-1,439, .526 win pct
After serving as the team’s third base coach for four seasons, Lasorda took over as manager late in the 1976 season when Alston announced his retirement. He led the Dodgers to the National League pennant in his first two full seasons, losing both times to the Yankees in the World Series. He won his first World Series in 1981, knocking off the Yankees, and rallied his team to a surprise title in 1988 in which the Dodgers beat the heavily favored Athletics. Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.
A fiery and vibrant presence who spent 71 years with the Dodgers, Lasorda managed nine players who won the NL rookie of the year award. The Dodgers also opened the Japanese player pipeline on his watch. Hideo Nomo, the first Japanese big leaguer to permanently relocate to the U.S., joined the Dodgers in 1995. Three decades later, the team features Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on its star-studded roster.
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Back in January, the odds that King James would retire before the beginning of the 2026-27 season were slightly longer than the odds that he would give it another go.
But as of now, it looks like LeBron will, in fact, give it another go but with a team other than the Lakers.
Here are the latest odds for where James could land next season at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 30.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
LeBron James Next Team Odds
Golden State Warriors: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Miami Heat: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
New York Knicks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Detroit Pistons: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Washington Wizards: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
NBA free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. However, hours before its official start, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, made a jaw-dropping announcement.
According to ESPN reporting, Paul notified the Lakers that the franchise could move on without LeBron because he plans to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season.
James played for the organization for eight years — the longest he’s played for any other team. While in L.A., King James broke the all-time scoring record, won an NBA title and earned his fourth NBA Finals MVP.
The imprint he’s left on the league in his more than 20 years has been immeasurable.
Where will LeBron land next season now that his time in Los Angeles is over?
In addition to his tenure in Los Angeles, he’s played for the Cavaliers and the Heat, winning titles with all three franchises. He won Rookie of the Year, has four regular-season MVPs and is a 22-time All-Star.
James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 boards and 7.4 assists over the course of his career.
During the 2025-26 season, he helped lead the Lakers to a 53-29 record in the regular season. The team secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and defeated Houston 4-2 in the first round.
Eventually, Los Angeles got bounced by Oklahoma City in the conference semifinals, 4-0, which marked LeBron’s last dance in Hollywood.
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