Victor Wembanyama touched by treatment from San Antonio Spurs' legends
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Victor Wembanyama is slated to see some action in the NBA Summer League next month but first he is hoping for a bit of relaxation time.
PHOTO: AFP
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SAN ANTONIO – Victor Wembanyama is getting a quick primer of San Antonio and the Spurs.
The No. 1 overall pick in Thursday’s National Basketball Association draft
But Wembanyama was probably most thrilled about meeting Spurs’ legends David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
The Frenchman, 19, got to hear about their experiences at a dinner Friday night, just hours after he arrived in San Antonio.
“In a couple hours, I learned more about the NBA than in my whole life,” the 2.25m Wembanyama said in a press conference at the arena on Saturday.
“It’s so comforting to see that these people who are so important to the city of San Antonio and this franchise are such kind people and generous because they genuinely wanted to share with me their experience...
“It’s comforting to know that there are legends, not only of the club but also of the NBA, who are there to help me and who won’t let me make the same mistakes twice.
“For a rookie, that’s a huge advantage.
“I feel like they have already started to take great care of me.”
Robinson (1987) and Duncan (1997) were also No. 1 overall picks. They are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as is Ginobili of France.
The Spurs have won five NBA titles but have fallen on hard times and missed the play-offs the past four seasons. They were a porous 22-60 last season despite Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich.
So hopes are high that Wembanyama – the most coveted NBA draft pick since LeBron James in 2003 – can guide San Antonio back to the top of the NBA food chain.
Said Spurs general manager Brian Wright: “Your talent is obvious, but as we got to know you, the maturity, the approach, the character really showed us how special of a young man you are.”
Wembanyama is slated to see some action in the NBA Summer League next month but first he is hoping for a bit of relaxation time.
He arrived from France last Monday and there was plenty of pre-draft hoopla surrounding him in New York. The draft was Thursday night and he flew to San Antonio on Friday.
“The last 72 hours have been really tiring,” Wembanyama said. “But I’m really enjoying the moment. Everybody is doing a perfect job around me...
“I feel I belong here. Since I arrived, I’ve seen nothing but grateful people, so it’s easy to acclimatise when you’re already appreciated.”
He is also confident he can acclimatise to the NBA, adding: “My game will have to adapt, but the NBA game is what suits me best.” REUTERS, AFP
