Basketball Star Sends Space‑Shooting Wishes to Lunar Crew

Victor Wembanyama, a rising NBA star from San Antonio, joined a NASA livestream that welcomed the Artemis II astronauts heading to orbit the Moon. He greeted the crew with a friendly “Hello from Victor, ” and added that his interests stretch beyond basketball to include stars, dark matter, and other cosmic wonders. He wished the astronauts good luck on their historic flight. The livestream also featured Hollywood actors Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Gosling, who offered congratulations to the space team. Wembanyama’s presence was a reminder that people from all walks of life can be inspired by space exploration. Last year, Wembanyama visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He talked about the excitement of seeing spacecraft up close and meeting astronauts who have flown or will soon fly. He recalled speaking with Peggy Whitson, the astronaut who has spent the most time outside a spacecraft. The visit left him feeling like a child discovering new worlds.During media day in September, the 7‑foot‑4 rookie shared that he chose to receive his 2024 Rookie of the Year award at a planetarium in San Antonio. There he listened to a talk about dark matter, describing it as “very sci‑fi” because we can’t see it but we notice its effects on galaxies. He said that mystery fuels his curiosity about the universe. Wembanyama’s nickname, “The Alien, ” fits his towering height and his fascination with the cosmos. He has spent time learning mindfulness and reflecting on how small we are compared to the vast universe—a theme that aligns with NASA’s goal of helping people see their place in space. After the All‑Star game, he visited Alaska’s Northern Lights, another example of his love for natural and cosmic phenomena. His story shows that sports stars can also be ambassadors for science, encouraging young people to look up and dream big.