After debuting with the San Antonio Spurs in July, Victor Wembanyama vowed to disappear from the public eye while preparing for his rookie season.
The No. 1 pick did just that and is now ready to go with the Spurs.
Wembanyama took time off and got away for a couple of weeks following his two-game stint in the NBA Summer League. The time off, Wembanyama said on Monday, restored him mentally and physically: “I rested hard as hell.”
The much-needed break from basketball enabled him to return and work on his overall game. He also worked on his body and added an estimated 10-15 pounds of muscle over the summer.
“I have been working better than any other moment in my life; harder but also smarter,” Wembanyama said. “I think this offseason will make a difference not just for the upcoming season, (but also for) the next few years.”
The arrival of Wembanyama is expected to catapult the Spurs into the national spotlight. The team will be featured on ESPN or TNT 19 times this season as the group figures to be a must-watch now with such a generational talent on the roster.
He had a so-so showing with the Spurs in summer league. He struggled in his debut but responded with an overall performance that mirrored many of his outings last season with Metropolitans 92 in France that made him the Most Valuable Player.
How will the Spurs utilize him? Even Gregg Popovich isn’t sure yet.
Is Wemby going to be a five? Is he going to be a four? Is going to be a three? Is he going to play alongside Zach (Collins) in the post? Is he a perimeter player? What is he? Who does he fit best with out there? What should the rotations be? A lot of really cool questions that we’ll get to answer.
Said Wembanyama of his role: “I know I can bring some help to this team and the best way for me to help is to not put me in a box, I think. (Coach Popovich) is learning to know me and I’m learning to know him. We know we are going to make something original, something special.”
The Spurs, Popovich said, will watch Wembanyama throughout the first few weeks of training camp to better understand how he will play and use his body on the court. He has been very receptive in the early going, something the team has been impressed with.
Wembanyama will certainly have ups and downs throughout the year, as is common with first-year players. He has leaned on those around him for advice and will continue to do so as the Spurs begin training camp on Tuesday.
“I got a whole lot to learn,” Wembanyama said. “I can just turn to whoever, even the guys who have just 2-3 years in this league, and I know they have good advice for me. They have proven it in these past few months. I’m really excited and happy to be here.”
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