Top rookies Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson likely will not meet in the NBA’s 2023 summer league (there is still one summer game for both the Rockets and Spurs that is unscheduled), but they will face off in a pair of 2023-24 preseason games in October.
Wembanyama, a highly touted French big man who was drafted by San Antonio at No. 1 in the first round, will face Houston’s No. 4 pick, Amen Thompson, on Oct. 16 and 18. Both Rockets-Spurs games are at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
While both Texas rivals are rebuilding, the addition to each of a prized rookie from the 2023 draft class should add some juice to a rivalry that has lost some luster in recent years.
The preseason will also serve as the debut for Houston’s second first-round selection, Villanova’s Cam Whitmore, who went at No. 20. Between Wembanyama, Thompson and Whitmore, the exhibitions should showcase 10% of the NBA’s 2023 first round.
The announcement was made as part of San Antonio’s preseason schedule release. Houston, for its part, is still finalizing its slate. The NBA will release its full 2023-24 regular-season schedule for all teams in August, complete with game times, dates and locations.
[lawrence-related id=114769,114725]
The Spurs released their home preseason schedule. The #Rockets will take on the Spurs and Wemby on October 16th and October 18th. Both games in San Antonio.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 26, 2023