Victor Wembanyama has long been leaving his mark on the San Antonio Spurs with his on-court dominance, but a new post-game ritual suggests he is now doing the same off the court.
Following the Spurs’ 130‑110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, even as his historic block streak came to an end, Wembanyama appeared in high spirits. He grabbed a large drum and led the crowd in a rhythmic clap, a moment that quickly went viral online.
The 21-year-old’s initiative, developed with Spurs fan group the Jackals, brought fans together in a style widely seen in European soccer and basketball but rarely in NBA arenas, blending performance, participation, and spectacle into a shared celebration.
It was a visible reminder of Wembanyama’s growing influence in shaping the Spurs’ identity and energizing the home crowd.
Victor Wembanyama’s European Influence and Fan Culture
Across Europe, particularly in soccer, supporter groups coordinate chants, claps, and drum beats to create atmosphere and unity. By bringing similar energy to the Frost Bank Center, Wembanyama is transplanting a piece of European fan culture into the NBA, encouraging collective participation rather than passive spectating.
“Spurs fans, how are we feeling? Appreciate your support, it’s good to be back at home and win in front of our incredible fans,” Wembanyama said post-game at half-court. “Now, I would like, with my teammates, to introduce a little new tradition that we’ve been working on with the Jackals over there. So, please, everybody, spread your arms and do just like the Jackals.”
Fans then followed suit, stretching out their hands and clapping in rhythm each time the Frenchman struck the “Go Spurs Go” drum.
The celebration draws clear parallels to European fan traditions. In stadiums across France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, “ultras” and other supporter groups use drums, chants, and synchronized claps to energize both players and the crowd. The ritual also clearly shows Wembanyama’s understanding of how culture and community can amplify the excitement of winning beyond the box score.
Building a Tradition
The European influence is particularly reminiscent of the famed “Viking Thunder Clap,” which captured global attention during UEFA European Championships in 2016 when Icelandic soccer fans clapped and shouted in unison to energize their team. The spectacle became an international phenomenon and was eventually adopted by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
Wembanyama’s drum-led clap is not a direct copy, but the parallels are clear. Other traditions, such as Borussia Dortmund’s “Yellow Wall” in German soccer and the Los Angeles Clippers’ “The Wall,” similarly aim to heighten atmosphere and boost home-court advantage.
Reactions online have been enthusiastic, with Spurs fans and observers praising the energy and uniqueness it brings to home games. Whether this drum-led clap becomes a permanent fixture will depend on fan adoption and team success, but the moment has already sparked conversation about the evolving role of fan engagement in the NBA.
By channeling European traditions and creating his own unique ritual, Wembanyama is redefining how Spurs fans celebrate while planting the seeds for a new, international-inspired tradition.
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