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Charles Curtis here, and I’m here to share a problem I’m having (a good one, I promise): I can’t stop watching Victor Wembanyama clips this summer.
First off: If you don’t know who that is, here’s the tl;dr: He’s a 7-foot-3 French star who has been turning heads, making him the presumed No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
I bring this up in part because our Bryan Kalbrosky did his first 2023 mock draft, and there’s Wembanyama right at the top, and if the ping pong balls land right, the Thunder could end up with him AND Chet Holmgren. That’s a lot of wingspan.
Here’s the fun part: His highlight reels are WILD. Like, every time I see a clip come across my timeline — and I’ve seen a bunch lately — I have to stop what I’m doing and watch.
This highlight reel shows how he can move faster than I think anyone I’ve seen at that height. He’s got a beautiful, silky fadeaway. Dude is dunking over guys without jumping much.
Here are his handles. My goodness. He can pass, too. Three-pointers? Got those too. He blocked a guard shooting from distance. If we’re buzzing about Chet, I’m almost more excited by this guy. And I will stop and watch clips until he gets taken No. 1 overall next year.
On to more hoops good stuff.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
Let’s stay with the mock draft for another sec. Kalbrosky has Scoot Henderson going next to the Pacers:
There is a reason why my colleague, Mike Sykes, recently said that Scoot Henderson will “shift the landscape” of basketball.
Henderson was the first prospect to sign a multi-year deal with the G League Ignite, and although he was not draft eligible last season, he often looked like the closest to a future NBA star on the roster. His highlights seemed effortless and he could fly like a young Derrick Rose.
I’d love to see a playmaker and sharpshooter like Tyrese Haliburton next to someone who can attack the rim like Henderson. But he isn’t too shabby as a passer, either.
Also VERY intriguing.
Shootaround
— The latest look at NBA rumors as the summer continues from Hoops Hype.
— The worst trades in Sixers history, thanks to Sixers Wire.
— Speaking of the Thunder earlier: Thunder Wire delivered thoughts on the team’s Summer League players.