Victor Wembanyama, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was invited to throw the first pitch at the Yankees game Tuesday night.
Let's just say it's a good thing the Frenchman didn't choose to go pro in baseball.
Wembanyama, who stands at 7-foot-2, took the mound as part of the pregame festivities in an unbuttoned New York jersey and wound up. However, at his height, it isn't exactly an easy feat to throw a ball like Gerrit Cole.
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As a result, his toss went far left of the catcher, as you can see below.
Victor Wembanyama throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium... maybe he should stick to basketball 😂
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 21, 2023
NTT #BallparkCam | #RepBX | @vicw_32 pic.twitter.com/hEER4e5PQR
If that wasn't enough, Wembanyama then fired the ball into the stands, where it came bounding off a concrete wall, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
Wemby bounced the ceremonial first pitch. Then he FIRED a ball into the seats behind first base, banging against a concrete wall. What is happening?!
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 20, 2023
But as the broadcasters said, celebrity first pitches are "more often awful than good."
Oh no Wemby 😅
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 20, 2023
🎥: @JomboyMedia pic.twitter.com/CNn10V3af1
Hopefully, that makes Wembanyama feel a little bit better for that shoddy performance.
MORE: A deep dive into what Victor Wembanyama could be at the NBA level
Even so, Twitter took Wembanyama's first pitch fail as an opportunity to poke fun at the basketball sensation. Many said it's a good thing he stuck to hoops while others joked that he could have the "nastiest change up in the league" if he wanted to hop aboard the MLB train.
He’d have the nastiest change up in the league. Wemby sure basketball is his calling???? https://t.co/KvQDaToabk
— Ryan Hickey (@Ryan_Hickey3) June 20, 2023
Wemby new pitcher for NYY https://t.co/fPY295saJW
— NBA Fan (@MLSFan92) June 20, 2023
Others quipped that his draft stock should go down as a result of his celebrity pitch.
Could definitely see Wemby slipping to 13th in the draft after this tremendously poor showing of athleticism. #WeTheNorth https://t.co/xDsuwSTMiI
— Christopher Horvat (@chrishorvat_) June 20, 2023
Wemby's draft stock should absolutely go down after that opening pitch 🤣
— VIRTUOSO 🧸 (@shawn_rx) June 20, 2023
The first pitch wasn't the only reason that Wembenyama went viral on Tuesday. Many fans were amused at seeing the 7-foot-2 center getting a chance to ride the subway for the first time.
Victor Wembanyama in a NYC subway. pic.twitter.com/sDixdpCQ7y
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 20, 2023
And others were intrigued at just how small the baseball looked in his hand. Here's a photo of that, for size reference (and giggles):
Victor Wembanyama posted a picture of himself holding a baseball on his Instagram story... 😳 pic.twitter.com/9syNhoxYXY
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 20, 2023
