Very nice pictures of a duel during training dating back to October 2020 in Nanterre had resurfaced in recent hours on social networks. We saw Victor Wembanyama without the slightest complexes, at the age of 16, challenging his compatriot and best defender in the NBA Rudy Gobert. For the first time, the two French interiors, main assets of the French team with a view to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, engaged in a fascinating clash on Friday evening in San Antonio. At high altitude obviously, since the two guys peak at 2.24 m and 2.16 m respectively.
Between a strong hug before kick-off and an exchange of jerseys at the end of the match, all under the eyes of Gaël Monfils present at the edge of the pitch, this match within the match between the Frenchies kept all its promises. And if the Spurs suffered another defeat (110-117), the sixth in nine meetings this season, this time during the new In-Season Tournament, “Wemby” delivered a great performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“He’s already way ahead for a rookie”
A week after being completely on screen against Kevin Durant’s Suns, with 38 points and 10 rebounds, the number one in the Draft signed his second best individual performance in the NBA on Friday, with 29 points (12 out of 21 on shots). , and 3 of 7 from three points), 9 rebounds and 4 blocks, all in 35 minutes of play. Breathtaking dunk after a takeoff from the dotted line, incredible counter on Karl-Anthony Towns and alley-oop reversed on the counterattack, the former Mets 92 star once again displayed all his mutant talent, very far from his painful first at Madison Square Garden on Thursday (14 points).
“He is already very ahead for a rookie,” said Rudy Gobert, author of a solid double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds) at the same time. It is obvious that he is well coached, and that he works tactically. It is already an obstacle, I think it will become a serious problem very soon. » Isn’t he already, at only 19 years old, even if he plays in a team that is still very inexperienced/weak?