By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
NBA scouts collecting information on Victor Wembanyama, to people based in the USA getting to know and then raving about the young French center on the occasion of Metropolitans 92 traveling to Nevada and taking on NBA G League Ignite Tuesday.
Following the 2022 NBA Preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, LeBron James discussed Wembanyama labeling him as a ‘generational talent,’ and comparing him with the fellow candidate for the top spot of the 2023 NBA draft, Scoot Henderson.
“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years. But he’s more like an alien,” he replied to the inquiry made in the postgame press conference, “No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful as he is on the floor.”
Wembanyama, 18, moved to Metropolitans 92 last June, after opting out of his contract with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, a France team competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and controlled by retired player Tony Parker. The friendly game at Dollar Loan Center marked his first showing in the USA. Tallying 37 points, including 7/11 three-pointers, five blocks, four rebounds, and one steal convinced more fans he can be the next big thing to march into the NBA. Facing G League Ignite’s Henderson cooked an extra spicy meal for a broader audience to enjoy.
“His ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step-back jumpers out of the post, step-back threes, catch-and-shoot threes, block shots. He’s for sure a generational talent and, hopefully, he continues to stay healthy. That is the most important for him personally,” added LeBron, “He is a big-time player. Scoot is a big-time player as well.”
An anonymous GM told ESPN that Wembanyama would be the most hyped player since LeBron.
“I did not have social media,” he recalled his own path to the NBA draft and being selected with the first overall pick back in 2003, “I can’t imagine how different my life would be with social media. I am happy I did not have social media. I am happy I was from a small town, Akron, Ohio. It just kept me in the bunker, locked in with the task on hand.”
The 2023 NBA draft will be intriguing and a major highlight of the next summer.
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