Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 French teenager who some NBA commentators think could be a generational talent, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night.
The Spurs have a history of drafting big men with the top pick, and Wembanyama fits the mold.
He is a dominant defender who can also dribble the ball like a point guard and shoot from 3-point range efficiently.
“It’s a tough league,” Wembanyama said through tears after he was selected. “I’m going to try to learn as quick as possible because I want to win that ring.”
Wembanyama played the past three seasons in France’s LNB Pro A, the country’s highest pro level, with the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92.
He led the league in scoring, rebounding, and blocks on his way to becoming the youngest regular-season MVP in Pro A history.
In 34 regular season games with Mets 92, he averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 blocks per game.
He’s one of the most touted teenagers to join the NBA since LeBron James was the top pick of the 2003 draft.
“Because of all the hype, he’ll have a target on his back,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said in a news conference on expectations for Wembanyama.
“So more than O’s and X’s, to begin with, we’ll be interested in setting the framework in an environment where he’s comfortable where he can be Victor.”He is excited to join the Spurs and play in San Antonio.”Breakfast tacos,” he said when asked about what he knew about the city.
“I’ve heard a lot about breakfast tacos.”
Wembanyama’s French league teammate Bilal Coulibaly, a 6-foot-6 forward, was chosen with the No. 7 pick by Indiana but traded to Washington.
In return, Washington sent No. 8 pick Jarace Walker, a 6-foot-8 forward from the University of Houston, and two 2028 second-round picks to the Pacers.
The Spurs are hoping that Wembanyama can be the next great player in their franchise history.
He has the potential to be a dominant force on both ends of the court, and he could help the Spurs return to contention in the Western Conference.
Read More: https://dailyolympic.com/2023/06/22/mali-basketball-federation/