Message to Victor Wembanyama Takes the Internet by Storm
Message to Victor Wembanyama Takes the Internet by Storm.
The NBA All-Star Game has often been criticized, but it still offers fans a rare opportunity to see the league’s biggest stars share the court. While the game itself has lacked excitement in recent years, behind-the-scenes interactions between players often make up for the lackluster action.
During Sunday’s All-Star Game, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama had a memorable exchange that quickly went viral on social media.
“Brother, you will never come off the bench in your career,” Antetokounmpo told Wembanyama. “What are you talking about? What? Brother, you will never come off the bench.”
Despite his talent, Wembanyama came off the bench for Chuck’s Global Stars in both All-Star matchups but still led the team with 17 points on 8-11 shooting across two games. The 7-foot-3 rookie had promised to take the game seriously, and he certainly lived up to that commitment.
Antetokounmpo also playfully called out Charles Barkley, pointing out that the Hall of Famer never had to guard a player like Wembanyama.
“Back in the day, you couldn’t guard [Wembanyama],” Antetokounmpo told Barkley. “You could not guard him. So anything you say on TV, that does not matter. You never faced something like this. I got to face [Wembanyama], I got to face [Nikola Jokic]. This is what I have to deal with.”
Bringing his usual energy to the All-Star Game, Antetokounmpo didn’t hold back in praising Wembanyama, making the moment one of the most talked-about highlights of the event.
Spurs Forward Harrison Barnes Donates $250K to Alamo Promise Scholarship
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes made headlines on Tuesday by donating $250,000 to the Alamo Promise program, a “last-dollar” scholarship initiative offered by the Alamo Colleges District to graduating high school seniors in Bexar County.
Alongside his wife, Brittany Barnes—a philanthropist and community advocate—Barnes made the generous contribution in honor of Black History Month at the Heritage Center of St. Philip’s College, the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the San Antonio area.
Barnes expressed his desire to give students more opportunities to shape their futures.
“Basketball was my choice,” he said. “I hope these kids have the freedom to pursue whatever path they want.”
According to Alamo Colleges spokesperson Denise Blaz, 88% of Alamo Promise recipients are African American or Hispanic, and since fall 2020, over 23,000 local students have benefited from the program.
Before Barnes’ donation, the initiative had already raised $16.3 million in scholarships, covering tuition and fees at all five Alamo Colleges campuses through private contributions.
Although Barnes hails from Ames, Iowa, he and his wife prioritize giving back to the communities they become part of. Playing for the Spurs—a team deeply connected to San Antonio—only reinforces that responsibility, he said.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg emphasized that Barnes’ contribution extends beyond education and workforce development, serving as a reflection of the city’s core values.
“This affirms that diversity is our strength, equity is our mission, and inclusion is our way forward,” Nirenberg stated.
Amid ongoing debates about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, Barnes’ donation comes at a crucial time. Recent legislative changes, such as Texas Senate Bill 17 and former President Donald Trump’s executive order eliminating DEI programs at the federal level, have restricted the use of state funds for DEI initiatives at Texas public universities.
St. Philip’s College, named the nation’s only dual-designated HBCU and Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2022, currently enrolls over 18,000 students.
Among them is A’maya Lott, a freshman and Alamo Promise recipient. Without the program, Lott said she would have gone straight into the workforce instead of attending college.
“I wouldn’t be in school at all,” she admitted.
Now majoring in baking and pastry arts, Lott is also a member of the Pearls of Distinction Dance group, which she helped establish last semester. Thanks to Alamo Promise, she is able to work toward a career without the burden of student debt.
The Alamo Promise scholarship covers any remaining tuition costs after federal and state financial aid has been applied, for up to three years or until a student completes an associate degree or certificate. However, additional expenses such as textbooks, transportation, and housing are not included.
According to the Alamo Colleges website, the program helps students save an estimated $5,940 in tuition and provides access to more than 300 degree and certificate programs.
Currently, the average cost of attending St. Philip’s College after financial aid is $5,273.
Students from public, charter, private, and homeschool backgrounds are eligible for the program if they either graduated from a high school in Bexar County or currently reside there.
