They join a star-studded roster, including signature athletes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Sabrina Ionescu. It has been estimated that nearly 70% of players in the NBA wear Nike on the court.
BREAKING: Nike has signed 13 NBA rookies to shoe deals. 📄✍️
Full class includes: • Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs • Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets • Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets • Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons • Anthony Black – Orlando Magic • Kobe… pic.twitter.com/S6fqqXSQjP
The group of players signed to Nike nearly makes up half of the first round of draftees this year. Other rookies, such as Scoot Henderson (PUMA), Jarace Walker (Under Armour), Jett Howard (Jordan) and Gradey Dick (Adidas), have also inked with apparel companies.
Victor Wembanyama is set for his official debut on Wednesday, and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich believes he is ready for the moment.
Victor Wembanyama is set for his official debut on Wednesday, and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich believes the No. 1 pick is ready for the moment.
Wembanyama finished the preseason averaging 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 1.5 assists and one steal on 50.9% shooting from the field in four games. He led all rookies in scoring and was tied for fifth among all players in total points (77).
The 19-year-old dazzled in the preseason, from his moves in the post to his defense and ability to pull up from all over the court. In other words: He has done everything expected of him.
Popovich knows Wembanyama will be prepared for his debut.
Victor has been through this. There has been a lot of hype around him for a long time, and he doesn’t let it affect him. He is very mature. He is very emotionally strong. His priorities are in order. He is very professional already, so he’ll just come and play.
With Wembanyama in the picture, the Spurs have been featured on national TV. They were showcased once on TNT in the preseason and will have their first of 11 appearances on ESPN or TNT on Wednesday versus Dallas (9:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN).
The debut of Wembanyama has been highly anticipated. He has drawn high praise from the top players, ranging from LeBron James to Magic Johnson to Stephen Curry. He has rare skill and ability for a player his size, which is expected to make him a generational talent.
He is expected to lead the Spurs back to prominence, and it will undoubtedly be documented on national TV and in front of packed arenas around the league throughout the season. The team believes he is ready for that challenge.
The Spurs have often rested players on the roster in past years during the preseason; Wembanyama is among the latest players to sit out. The team will also rest guard Tre Jones and forward Devin Vassell against the Rockets.
Wembanyama suited up in the Spurs’ previous two preseason games, averaging 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one assist on 64.3% shooting from the field. He recorded a preseason-high 23 points on Friday in a win over the Miami Heat.
What a night for Victor Wembanyama in the Spurs W.
The Spurs will host the Rockets in a back-to-back set on Monday and Wednesday. The team will then wrap up its preseason schedule Friday on the road against Golden State. It seems likely Wembanyama will suit up in one or both of the final two games.
Wembanyama is projected to be one of the top players in the NBA this season by an ESPN panel.
Victor Wembanyama has yet to officially suit up for the San Antonio Spurs but the No. 1 pick is projected to be one of the top players in the NBA this season by an ESPN panel.
Wembanyama came in at No. 47 on ESPN’s annual NBArank list, which predicts the top 100 players. The panel, which consists of nearly 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, was asked to rank players based on their predicted contributions for this season only.
Wembanyama is unlike any prospect we’ve seen enter the NBA. Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in the French Pro A League last season on his way to winning MVP honors. Still, how much of that translates to the NBA right away remains to be seen.
Wembanyama debuted on Monday against Holmgren and the Thunder, recording 20 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 19 minutes. He became the first Spurs rookie to record at least 20 points in a preseason game since DeJuan Blair in 2009.
The 19-year-old is the front-runner (plus-125) to win Rookie of the Year with Henderson and Holmgren tied for the next highest odds at plus-300. The trio enters the year with tremendous expectations for their respective teams and are projected to have strong years.
The expectation level for Wembanyama is especially high this season as the Frenchman looks to help the Spurs take the next step in their rebuild. The collective basketball world is eager to see how he handles the transition and it should make for an exciting year.
Qerim started the segment by asking Smith which of Holmgren or Wembanyama would be his choice to win the annual award. Smith, instead, opted to go with Henderson.
The brother got an NBA body. He is in attack mode. He is aggressive. … I’m the youngest of six. I have four older sisters. That brother Scoot Henderson in Portland, the third overall pick, he got sisters and I’ve met them. They can ball. They get in his face and they will get in his face long before anybody else will, whether it is the coaches, teammates, etc.
When you got relatives that are in your face and you know they have an impact on you and they affect your motor. I think him succeeding Dame (Lillard) in Portland and having the reins handed to him more so than Victor Wembanyama, more so than Chet Holmgren, I’m looking at Scoot Henderson to win Rookie of the Year.
Henderson is one of seven and has three sisters who previously played Division I athletics. His younger sister, Crystal, is a freshman this season at Georgia State and is his favorite player. Both had their jersey numbers retired at Kell High School earlier this year.
Wembanyama comes from a basketball background as well.
His mother, Elodie de Fautereau, is a coach and former player. His sister, Eve, played last season with Monaco and has represented France in the past. She most recently played with France in the FIBA U20 Women’s European Challengers, averaging 1.5 points and two rebounds.
"He got sisters… they can ball. … [Relatives] affect your motor… I'm looking at Scoot Henderson to win Rookie of the Year."
Stephen A. Smith thinks the Blazers' rookie will win ROTY over Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Do you agree? 🤔pic.twitter.com/KsFcHEiP95
Certainly, there appears to be healthy competition for Rookie of the Year this season with several legitimate candidates. It should be a fun race to watch unfold but we’ll see how — or if — family may play a role in how successful these players are this year.
Holmgren produced a game-high 21 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in the 122-121 victory. He went 7-of-10 from the field in 16 minutes and became the first Thunder rookie to score at least 21 points in a preseason debut game.
On the other side, Wembanyama led the Spurs with 20 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 19 minutes of work. He became the first Spurs rookie to record at least 20 points in a preseason game since DeJuan Blair in 2009.
They earned the nod of approval from Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.
Wemby and Chet looked like 2 created players last night. Future is bright! Morning y’all 💯 🤝🏾
Of course, the two players have similar frames standing over 7-feet tall. They can handle the ball, shoot and protect the paint, which each showed off on Monday. There is plenty of hype surrounding their upcoming seasons as they each represent a piece of his teams’ success.
It wasn’t the first-ever matchup between the two players, though.
They previously squared off in the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Holmgren scored 10 points for the United States as the Americans topped Wembanyama and France for the gold medal. Wembanyama had a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks.
“I played against him a couple of years ago in FIBA,” Holmgren said. “It’s really cool to see players from across the world be connected through the NBA. I plan to play a long time and I’m sure he does too so it’ll be no choice but to go back and forth.”
The first matchup between Wembanyama and Holmgren during the regular season will take center stage on TNT on Nov. 14. It will be the first of dozens of future meetings in the NBA between the two franchise cornerstones as they look forward to playing each other.
“Personally, I was feeling good and had a lot of energy,” Wembanyama said. “I feel like he hurt us in the first half. I know it is just preseason but, for sure, the games against OKC are going to be interesting.”
Wembanyama hit the court for the first time this week, and admitted there has been a lot thrown at him to start off.
Victor Wembanyama hit the court for the first time this week with the San Antonio Spurs, and the No. 1 pick admitted there has been a great deal thrown at him.
Wembanyama arrived at the start of training camp refreshed and ready to go with the Spurs. He took time off after his stint in the NBA Summer League and called this past offseason perhaps the most important one of his career thus far.
Joining a new team in a different league will present its fair share of challenges for Wembanyama. There will be an adjustment period involving several factors, such as learning a new playbook.
“(The information) is coming very, very fast,” Wembanyama said. “The set plays, principals — a lot of stuff I’ve never seen before that I don’t know. It is hard but you got to be focused when you’re on the court because if you lose attention one second, you’re screwed for the next 15 minutes.”
The Spurs are using training camp to determine how Wembanyama will be used on the court. Head coach Gregg Popovich admitted this week it will be “cool” to figure out if Wembanyama would best be utilized as a center, power forward or small forward.
As is the case with most players, Wembanyama doesn’t seem to be all that concerned with which position he’ll play the most. He believes he can fit into nearly every role on the court.
It just goes without saying that I’m sometimes playing the same role as (point guard) Tre Jones, sometimes the same as (center) Zach Collins (or) sometimes as (forward) Devin Vassell. There are really no limitations. On a lot of set plays, on a lot plays, it really depends on where you are but I can be the point guard just like I can be the wing. It doesn’t matter.
While the on-court product takes shape, Wembanyama is enjoying the accommodations made possible by playing in the NBA. He admitted that his life was rather hectic with Metropolitans 92 and that he wasn’t just a player but that he also acted as a general manager of sorts.
Suffice it to say: The Spurs are taking care of him.
“I got to worry about a (expletive) ton of less stuff,” Wembanyama said. “I’m really more free. When I come in the morning, I know there are going to be (trainers) and coaches to take care of me no matter the hour of the day so my mind is more at rest than last year.”
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.”
Wembanyama on Tuesday reaffirmed his plan to play for his country in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama on Tuesday reaffirmed his plan to play for his country in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 11-Aug. 11.
Wembanyama, who was born in Le Chesnay, stated his intentions to French media during a press conference for “Un1que,” a documentary that followed him last season with Metropolitans 92. He is expected to be among a large contingent of NBA players that will suit up for France.
“Succeeding in the Olympics would be a great story,” Wembanyama said, via L’Equipe. “There will be no goal other than gold. I will of course be present at the Olympics.”
Wembanyama debuted with the French senior team last year in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, averaging 19 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and one assist. He also played twice with the junior team, most recently in the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
The No. 1 pick opted against participating with France in the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer. He intended to play but decided to sit in order to prepare for his upcoming rookie season with the Spurs.
Without Wembanyama, France failed to make it to the second round of the tournament despite having Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert on the roster. Despite an early exit, France, as the host country, is among eight countries already qualified for the 2024 Games.
“I watched the World Cup and the result was very disappointing,” Wembanyama said. “However, I am not worried. I have no judgment to make. I was not on the team and it is in the hands of top-level players. I feel that this does not alter the opportunity to do something big in Paris next year.”
When Victor Wembanyama hits the court with the Spurs, the No. 1 pick will likely do so as the starting power forward.
When Victor Wembanyama hits the court for the first time with the San Antonio Spurs, the No. 1 pick will likely do so as the team’s starting power forward, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Standing at well over 7 feet, there has been some conversation regarding which position Wembanyama will play this season with the Spurs: power forward or center. According to Charania:
Wembanyama is a player that’s going to have generational ability in the league. Expect him to play power forward, the four position, to start off his NBA career. The Spurs will look for Zach Collins to be a guy to provide size next to Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt.
Wembanyama is listed at 7 feet, 4 inches, and 210 pounds by the Spurs.
He has the versatility to play at either power forward or center, depending on how the Spurs run certain lineups. However, the decision to play him at the 4 will likely ensure an easier transition in the early going due to the size and physicality of some of the big men in the league.
The Spurs will likely be able to take better advantage of Wembanyama and his overall ability with him lined up as a power forward. He will present a matchup problem for most opposing players and it should enable him to utilize more of his game.
The expectation level for Wembanyama is high this season as the Frenchman looks to help the Spurs take the next step in their rebuild. The collective basketball world is eager to see how he handles the transition, and it should make for an exciting year.
The Spurs open the preseason on Oct. 9 at Oklahoma City.
