The day after the documentary was broadcast on Canal+ Un1que dedicated to him, Victor Wembanyama did not miss his long-awaited first steps in the NBA, during a preseason match between the San Antonio Spurs and the Thunder, Monday evening in Oklahoma City. There was certainly a first defeat in the end (122-121), and it was obviously not yet an official meeting (the season begins on October 24, with a Spurs-Mavs match on the 25th). But once these two usual precautions have been taken, we can already get excited about the first of “Wemby”, author of 20 points (8/13 on shots), 5 rebounds, 2 interceptions and 1 block in a little less than twenty minutes of play.
The number one of the last Draft scored 18 points in the first half, launched by a rebound tap on a missed free throw from his teammate Devin Vassell (13-13, 4th). The immense 19-year-old (now announced at 2.24 m by the NBA) showed a glimpse of his unique dexterity despite his size, with two dunks at the end of the counter-attack, three-point skill (2 out of 5) or even a powerful penetration after a delicious crossover between the legs against Chet Holmgren. But also and mostly a basket of madness inscribed by mystifying Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on a lay-up left hand after a graceful spin move (at 1’21” in the video below).
“Let him just play the basketball he loves”
Exited during the third quarter, the former Mets 92 star did not return to the field afterward. “That’s what I expected from this match. That gives me good hope, we had some superb sequences of play in the first period, reacted Victor Wembanyama on Monday evening. As a rookie, I just have to give 100%. But I can do even better. »
There is no doubt about it, and his legendary coach Gregg Popovich is salivating in advance at this prospect. “I found it good,” the 74-year-old coach soberly commented. We didn’t have a specific plan for him tonight, just for him to play the basketball he loves. We are still thinking about how to make the most of his qualities. But since he’s a smart guy, he’ll figure it out on his own, even if I can’t. »
Chet Holmgren’s great rival to Wemby to become rookie of the year?
Tony Parker’s former mentor at Spurs adds: “We corrected him on two or three things tonight, mostly in defense. But that’s the way it is for all young players starting out in the league.” This match against the Thunder was also the opportunity for a first duel of young talents with Chet Holmgren (21 points, 9 rebounds).
Also an atypical indoor player of 2.16 m, the 21-year-old American player will be the main competitor of “Wemby” for the title of rookie of the year, with Scoot Henderson (Portland), since he did not compete in the less match last season (foot injury), after being drafted in second position in 2022. It would not be impossible to take fifteen games with this rivalry of mutants.