Victor Wembanyama’s nickname is coming under scrutiny for a bizarre reason

Stan Van Gundy, a former NBA head coach and current broadcaster of the league’s games on Amazon Prime Video, suggested that San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama should change his nickname.

Wembanyama is known as “Alien” because of his 7-foot-3 slender frame combined with his prowess on the basketball court. The Spurs were taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals when Van Gundy and play-by-play man Michael Grady talked about Wembanyama.

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Grady said the “Alien” nickname matched Wembanyama. But Van Gundy was quick to call for a change.

“The only thing is, in the current political environment, you have to be careful with that word, Michael Grady,” Van Gundy said. “They deport them. We don’t want Victor Wembanyama deported. Let’s go with another nickname.”

Grady laughed at that.

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“NBA on Prime” analyst Stan Van Gundy at press conference at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 12, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Van Gundy was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump during his first term. As head coach of the Detroit Pistons, Van Gundy ripped those who voted for him.

San Antonio defeated Oklahoma City, 111-109. The Spurs handed the Thunder their second loss of the season.

Wembanyama, who played just 21 minutes in his return to action from a calf strain, scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Devin Vassell led the team with 23 points. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle also scored 22 points.

The Spurs improved to 18-7 with the win and will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) lands on the court during the second half of an NBA Cup semifinal basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

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The Thunder dropped to 24-2.