The hype around Victor Wembanyama is unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. The first pick in this year’s draft was a shoo-in for months. Every lottery team’s fanbase was holding their collective breaths at the chance of landing the French phenom. At the age of 19, standing at 7’4 while boasting a near-8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is all set to join the league. One can imagine that the team who drafted him is delighted, to say the least. Following the NBA draft yesterday, a San Antonio Spurs icon couldn’t contain his excitement.
The last time a prospect was this highly touted was in 2003, when an 18-year-old LeBron James was preparing for the start of his NBA career. Twenty years later, fans believe that the heir to the throne has arrived.
5-time champion can’t wait to start working with the no. 1 pick
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With the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs picked Victor Wembanyama. Nobody was surprised by the selection, of course. But Spurs fans can’t help but draw comparisons to the last big man they drafted with the 1st pick – the Big Fundamental, Tim Duncan. Though the league has changed drastically since then, the Head Coach of the Spurs has remained constant.
Gregg Popovich might have the opportunity to mold two generational centers in one coaching career. “I’m very excited,” Pop said on coaching Wembanyama. Talking to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, he added, “I?d do a somersault, but I?d be out for three months.?
Pop on coaching Victor Wembanyama: “I’m very excited. You don’t want me to jump up and down, do you? Put on a show? I’d do a somersault, but I’d be out for three months.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 23, 2023
Perhaps a generational talent is one that makes you want to jump around with excitement. No doubt, the entire City of San Antonio will be celebrating long into the weekend. They have a real opportunity at reviving the Spurs dynasty that was led by Duncan, Ginobili, and French star Tony Parker. In fact, there are rumblings that the legendary trio is considering a return to the NBA just to mentor Wembanyama.
WATCH THIS STORY: 7’4 Victor Wembanyama’s step into Yankees Stadium leaves fans speechless just 48 hours before the NBA Draft
The support and excitement for Victor’s arrival in Texas have been building in the weeks leading to the draft, both in the front office and around the city of San Antonio.
San Antonio fans show out for Victor Wembanyama
Even before the draft lottery, graffiti murals and pop-ups of Wembanyama have been appearing across San Antonio. In hopes of manifesting the rights to the French talent, fans have been putting his face up all over the city. Just a few days ago, Coach Pop was spotted admiring the painting of a new Wemby mural. In fact, the artist even managed to get a picture with the Hall of Fame coach.
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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was spotted by a fan while he pulled up to see a mural of Victor Wembanyama being painted. The encounter was captured in a photo shared on Instagram. #StephenCurry pic.twitter.com/fh8Erpvd6q
— CurryCentral (@EL3290251524050) June 21, 2023
However, even if every wall in the city adorns a Victor Wembanyama tag, we’re still more than three months away from his first game on the NBA hardwood. The expectations are going to keep building and fans are curious to see how he will fit in with the team. ‘
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As trades ramp up, we’ll keep you updated on the future of the league.