With Victor Wembanyama leading the charge, the San Antonio Spurs have one of the most impressive rookies in recent memory. His freakish build makes him a dangerous player on offense and perhaps even more intimidating on the other end of the court, as he leads the league in blocks per game.
However, while Wembanyama’s on-court play has been impressive, his mindset off the court is just as amazing. For a 20-year-old, Wembanyama is very mature, and he seems to be in a great headspace when it comes to preparing himself for the lifestyle and fame that comes with being in the NBA.
Spurs broadcaster and former San Antonio All-Star Sean Elliot recently spoke with Mike Monroe of The Athletic about some of his off-court habits.
“Victor is one of the two smartest teenagers I’ve seen play the game,” Elliot said. “Of course, the other one would be LeBron James. Those two come to mind immediately. And, I have to say Victor has a higher basketball IQ than Kobe [Bryant] had at the same age. Victor’s a very intelligent person, period. He loves to read in his time off. You usually get young players doing the video game thing in their time off. So, he’s already a very intelligent and focused young man.”
In addition, Spurs director of basketball communications Jordan Howenstine noted that the staff is urged not to call Wembanyama at his house after 9:30 p.m..
“That’s when he reads for an hour,” Howenstine said. “Then he goes to sleep.”
Wembanyama isn’t anything like other 20-year-olds, and it goes deeper than his basketball skills.
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