By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After being selected with the No.1 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft, the 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama finally showed up on the court in front of its American fans in an open scrimmage played at the newly renamed Frost Bank Center.
Playing in front of 13.200 San Antonio Spurs fans, the 19-year-old potential generational talent scored 9 points in the game, won by the opposing side 74-65. “It really warmed my heart to see that every time a player of our team stepped on the court, they almost had a standing ovation. It’s all I expected but it still feels good”, Victor Wembanyama said after the scrimmage.
Listed on the San Antonio Spurs’ roster as a forward, the former ASVEL player shared the court mainly with center Zach Collins, who praised him after the game. “That’s just knowing the game. Him being a natural at it, that’s just his feel. Especially being that young in the NBA and making those passes. He’s a willing passer. That’s half the battle, being willing to make those passes. And he wants to pass. It’s fun to play with”, he commented on Wembanyama’s passing ability.
“I think the best players can be the one who makes his teammates better. So this is someone I want to get close to. You can’t win by just yourself”, the French rookie said about Zach Collins, with whom he produced a highlight no-look-pass play.
Talking about Joel Embiid’s choice to play for Team USA, Victor Wembanyama said he’s not upset he won’t be able to play next to him with the French national team. “I don’t really have an opinion, I’m just sad for Cameroon. If I have the opportunity, if I will be selected, I will fight with other Frenchmen to win a title”, he commented.
Dragging his last team in Europe Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 to the LNB Finals last year, he entered his first NBA season by averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the 2022-23 French league.
Victor Wembanyama takes the court. pic.twitter.com/iN5AAksoGC
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 7, 2023