By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In 1997 the San Antonio Spurs had picked first in the draft, got Tim Duncan and created a dynasty. History will repeat itself in 2023, as the San Antonio Spurs are the big winner of the draft lottery and will have the chance to pick one more generational talent in Victor Wembanyama.
It goes without saying that the French big man will be the top pick of the NBA draft, a phenomenon which is considered the best NBA prospect since LeBron James and can change the fate of a franchise.
The Charlotte Hornets got the second pick, the Portland Trail Blazers are picking third, the Houston Rockets in number four and the Pistons in five. Detroit finished with a league-worst 17-65, marking the fifth straight season the team with the worst record will not select first overall.
There’s no other player in the draft who can be compared to Wembanyama, or can automatically make a team a contender. And while the French teenager may not be able to do this right away, he is expected to be able to deliver sooner than later.
At 7-foot-5, he is considered a generational talent with all the tools, including the ability to create his shot off the dribble, shoot step-back 3s and use his 8-foot wingspan to protect the rim. A few hours before the lottery, he proved that again finishing the regular season in the French top division by leading his team, Metropolitans 92 to an impressive second position.
Other coveted prospects in the 2023 draft include Alabama’s Brandon Miller and G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson.