Solid in defense but clumsy in attack, the French basketball prodigy Victor Wembanyama, expected as the messiah in the NBA, has not yet found his marks with his San Antonio Spurs teammates, despite Friday’s victory against Charlotte (76-68) in the Summer League, a summer tournament that allows franchises to launch their new recruits.
Published on: 07/08/2023 – 08:57Modified on: 07/08/2023 – 09:19
Passing mention for the French basketball prodigy. Victor Wembanyama made a contrasting copy for his first in the Spurs jersey, Friday July 7 in the Summer League in Las Vegas, despite the victory against Charlotte (76-68) in front of spectators who only had eyes for him.
The 19-year-old Frenchman, drafted N.1 by San Antonio on June 22, scored 9 points and collected 8 rebounds in 27 minutes for his first game with the Texas franchise. But the former Mets de Boulogne-Levallois was struggling on shots, achieving a 2/13 (1/6 at three points). On the other hand, he was more to his advantage in defense, inflicting five blocks, helped by his immense size (2m24).
“It was a special moment to wear this jersey for the first time. I dreamed of a victory and I had it”, savored Victor Wembanyama in a press conference.
The start of the game was difficult for the inside, however, who missed his first three attempts before scoring his first basket after a few minutes, causing the room to roar.
It must be said that a real “Wembamania” accompanied his first steps in the United States: posters, flocked jerseys of his number 1, interviews… “Wemby” is the main attraction of the Summer League and considered the greatest hope since a certain LeBron James, who readily calls him an “alien”.
This summer tournament is an opportunity for NBA franchises to launch their new recruits, to field young players in the making or veterans looking for a contract.
“I didn’t really have time to adapt”
Wembanyama’s first appearance was highly anticipated, with the Thomas & Mack Center sold out with nearly 18,000 people, unusual for this competition. To get a ticket and have the privilege of attending the event, you had to go through resale, provided you pay the price…
According to a spokesperson for Gametime, a company specializing in resale, quoted by the American media TMZ Sports, the prices “go up to 617 dollars per seat” to see the Frenchman, against a price “around 40 dollars” for ” most other matches.
When entering the room to warm up, the interior – who had to bend down so as not to hit the ceiling of the access tunnel – received a standing ovation from the public, phones out.
On the floor, with each ball taken, he captivated the audience. But she exploded, despite himself, when the opposing pivot Kai Jones (7 pts) flew to dunk him on the head.
“Unfortunately, I was sometimes a little off the game plan, I had trouble reacting to the initiatives of my teammates. I didn’t really have time to adapt”, analyzed the Frenchman, lucid on his performance.
This fervor and this pressure, he will be able to taste again on Sunday, with a second friendly match against Portland, the N.3 team of the last Scoot Henderson draft, released on Friday and uncertain for the rest of the competition.
The N.2, Brandon Miller, was also in the ranks of Charlotte, facing “Wemby”. He also had difficulty shooting (5/15), despite a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The best is yet to come
In any case, the last few weeks up to this match could have been a source of stress for the Yvelines giant, from praise from superstars like James to his selection by Spurs, which was considered obvious, to dinners with legends of San Antonio: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili or his compatriot Tony Parker, who brought glory to the Texas franchise.
Until the recent Britney Spears affair. The singer says she received a slap from a player’s bodyguard when she “tapped him on the shoulder” to “congratulate him on his success” at the entrance to a hotel restaurant .
“I feel that I really need the rest that I will soon have. I will take the opportunity to work on my preparation for the next season. For me, the real premiere will be in October”, he projected. For these reasons, the interior told the staff of the French team that he was declining the opportunity to play the world in August.
Just over three months away from his regular season debut, Victor Wembanyama has yet to show the extent of his talent. And after this mixed introduction, his gestures will be scrutinized, his statistics dissected, his attitude analyzed.
This is already the life of Victor, an NBA attraction even before he played there.
With AFP
