Spurs select Wembanyama with 1st overall pick in 2023 NBA Draft
The San Antonio Spurs selected French prodigy Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Wembanyama will participate in NBA Summer League in July, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon, following the selection.
It's safe to say that we haven't seen a prospect like Wembanyama since LeBron James broke into the NBA two decades ago. The hype surrounding the teenager has steadily grown over the past four years thanks to his body of work on the international stage and in France's top domestic basketball league.
As a member of the national team, Wembanyama has won two silver medals at the youth level. During the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, he joined future top-five selections Chet Holmgren and Jaden Ivey on the all-tournament team. The 19-year-old also set a new FIBA event record with 40 blocks.
Wembanyama earned two All-Star appearances and a Pro A league title prior to joining Metropolitans 92 for the 2022-23 campaign. He's had a historic season in the French league, sweeping all major awards, including MVP and Best Defender honors.
Wembanyama is essentially a guard in a big man's body. No player in the Association is physically built the same way. He teased his potential in a dominating two-way performance against the G League Ignite last October, tallying 73 points, 15 boards, nine blocks, and four assists across the pair of exhibition contests.
Bio
Position: Forward/Center
Club: Metropolitans 92 (France)
Height: 7-foot-4
Weight: 237 lbs
Wingspan: 8-feet
Max vertical: N/A
2022-23 stats with Metropolitans 92
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 47 | 27.5 | 82.8 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 21.6 |
Strengths
- Elite rim-protector
- Nearly unblockable release point
- Skilled post scorer
- Capable of handling rock, initiating offense
- Great movement shooter
- Displays soft touch on floaters
- Uses his elite length to quickly close out on shooters
- High motor
Weaknesses
- Lean frame
- Shot selection
- Turnover-prone
- Despite being a willing passer, he missed plenty of opportunities to create for his teammates
- Durability; he's already sustained multiple injuries during his brief pro career
NBA comparable: There isn't one player that best encapsulates Wembanyama's entire skill set. He's got the rim-protecting prowess of countryman Rudy Gobert, a high release point like Kevin Durant, and covers ground similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo.