Why is Victor Wembanyama called Hector Banana-Bread? Origins explored as viral catchphrase takes over social media

The nickname "Alien" wasn't enough for Victor Wembanyama, so, fans have now given the big Frenchman another name: Hector Banana-Bread. Wembanyama's new nickname is trending on social media, leaving many wondering how the San Antonio Spurs star even got the new name.

It started with an innocent woman asking for help from NBA fans on social media. A user on Reddit's r/NBATalk came with a simple request; to help her find his boyfriend's favorite player's name because she wanted to gift him his jersey on his birthday.

Wemby got the most recent nickname from one of the five clues that the woman gave to the NBA fans. He was a 21-year-old Laker fan, born in Florida, raised in Georgia and sometimes attended Dallas Mavericks games. She also revealed that they lived together in Dallas and her boyfriend's favorite player was still playing in the NBA.

However, it was her last clue that gave NBA fans clues to give the Spurs star a new nickname for a change.

"This one is pretty dumb but I vaguely remember that the player's name sounded like 'Hector Banana-bread,'" she wrote in her last clue. "However, If I put that name into Google, I just get banana bread recipes so the name is probably way off."

Although she didn't have much hope of finding the answer and was "praying" for a "miracle," it didn't take much time for the NBA fans to figure out the name. What an irony. Wembanyama got his new nickname from someone who didn't know his name.

Jalen Brunson has hilarious demand from NBA for players blocking Victor Wembanyama's shot

It is nearly impossible for any existing NBA player to block a 7-foot-3 tall, with an 8-foot wingspan Victor Wembanyama's shot. With such physical gifts, the San Antonio Spurs star's shot is uncontested almost always. One reason is Jalen Brunson wants the league to hand out incentives for players who block Wembanyama's shot.

In the latest episode of the "Roommates Show" on Saturday, the New York Knicks star suggested that the league should give money to players for blocking Victor Wembanayama's 3-point shots.

"There should be an incentive for players if they block an Wemby three-pointer,” Brunson ]proposed.

Brunson's Knicks teammate Josh Hart also observed that Wemby's 3-point shot was so high that it was always uncontested.

"The craziest thing about him is that every shot he shoots is uncontested … because his release point is so high. Like it’s absurd,” Hart said. [41:25]

There is a reason that Wembanyama is called an "Alien." A player so tall with crossover moves and long-range jump shots has never been witnessed in NBA history. Perhaps, Shaquille O'Neal will disagree, but that debate is for another day.