By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama discussed his NBA aspirations with Le Parisien. Early projections regarding the 2023 draft rank the 16-year-old French center first.
“My goal is to go to the NBA,” explained the exciting Nanterre 92 prospect, “I want to be as good as possible. That’s my mentality. I don’t want to simply supplement a team. I don’t like having someone above me. I don’t want to prove something but I also don’t want to disappoint myself.”
Prior to the NBA, Wembanyama hopes to make the Nanterre senior squad. At 2.18m and overpowering opponents at both club and international junior competitions has been his thing so far.
“My current goal is to be dominant at the youth level,” he mentioned, “I must progress step by step. I will see and reevaluate my goals after a few games. I intend to use this season as a launching pad for the next and afterward hopefully begin my pro career.”
He is eligible to compete for both the junior and senior teams this season, per his contract. However, the French giant is not in a mood to rush his climb. Taking care of his body is another key part of his efforts at a young age.
“I currently weigh 95kg. The goal is to gain muscle gradually,” he said, “We use profiles of players I look like, such as Kristaps Porzingis and Rudy Gobert, to get an idea of my ideal weight. Of course, I also really like other players, such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both have proved that size does not prevent you from learning how to play basketball. They don’t have a stereotypical game.”
“I try to take a step back,” he added commenting on how he handles the pressure of expectations, “I know people, even though they have never seen me play, act like they have formed a fixed image of me. People talk about me without knowing me. I am aware of all that and the stakes. It’s no longer just a game or a pleasure. My family helps me stay focused.”