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Explaining his choice of attire, Wembanyama noted that the book series offers more than just epic fantasy elements. He highlighted the depth of the characters and the exploration of human psychology and emotion as primary reasons for his affinity for the series. After completing all seven books, the 22-year-old remarked that he feels as though the characters are close friends or family members.
A Return to Holiday Rituals
Wembanyama’s decision to dress up marks a return to a ritual he had to skip last season due to the Spurs' schedule not aligning with a game on Halloween. During the 2023 campaign, he had expressed disappointment at the lack of a game, noting that it prevented him from continuing the tradition. This year, the timing allowed him to make up for the missed opportunity in front of his home crowd.
The star’s history of Halloween arrivals began during his rookie year in 2023, when he walked into the arena in Phoenix dressed as the supernatural figure Slenderman. That evening, he contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in a narrow 115-114 win over the Suns. In 2024, he opted for a costume based on the character No-Face from the film Spirited Away, pairing the look with a dominant performance against the Utah Jazz, where he recorded 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and five blocks.
Teammates Join the Festive Atmosphere
The festive spirit extended beyond Wembanyama, as several of his teammates also embraced the holiday at the arena. Keldon Johnson continued his own personal tradition by dressing as a cowboy, while point guard De'Aaron Fox arrived with his family in costumes themed after the Disney movie Toy Story. Backup center Luke Kornet had also teased the possibility of participating, mentioning an interest in dressing as Captain Georg von Trapp from The Sound of Music, provided he could secure the necessary whistle to complete the look.