Victor Wembanyama’s Summer Break: Training, Nike Obligations, and Criticism

He will relish the warmth of the spotlight. Since the end of the Summer League where he was able to get a taste of the NBA, Victor Wembanyama had chosen to take a step back. Before really launching into the big world of the NBA – the season starting October 24 – he wanted to “disappear from the media” for a while. Logically after his closely scrutinized season and his historic month of June which saw him become the first Frenchman selected in first place in the NBA draft.

“I have two or three months coming up which will change my life,” he admitted after his second reassuring outing with the Spurs in the Summer League (27 points on 9 out of 14 shooting, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in 27 minutes). Since then, Wemby has been less in the news. We saw him less. Less heard. And he was able to recharge his batteries with his loved ones, far from the crazy madness that surrounds him as soon as he steps on a floor. But he wasn’t idle either. And continued to be talked about. As NBA teams return to training, here is what you should also remember from your summer.

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)

Credit: Getty Images

Boxing, training… A healthy break on the mental level but very active

In addition to moving to San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama was able to enjoy a few well-deserved days off. “It was the first time in my life that I felt tired in my head, because of all the events that followed. Nothing negative. But the vacation, after the Summer League, was a necessity to continue calmly on a mental level. I took the time to isolate myself,” he admitted in L’Equipe last week. But he didn’t just cut and rest of course.

Always as professional and aware of the challenge that awaits him, Wemby, who revealed that he followed the Blues fiasco at the 2023 World Cup, also spent time in the gym. Like all last season, the prodigy who passed through Nanterre took particular care of his body to try to prepare as best as possible for what awaits him in the deep end of the NBA.

In one of the rare videos that leaked, we saw him demonstrate his astonishing flexibility for a boy of his size. But he was also seen training with some of his new teammates or even practicing boxing with Jesse James Leija, like Tim Duncan before him. Clearly, he wasted no time in strengthening himself as best he could.

Some obligations with Nike

While he re-signed with Nike as announced by our US colleague Nick DePaula just before the draft with a check estimated at $100 million according to various sources, Wembanyama obviously had to play the game of obligations linked to its agreement with the American equipment manufacturer. And if he doesn’t yet have a signature shoe in his name, the former Mets 92 player saw the Swoosh brand find him a new nickname for its advertising campaigns: “The Extraterrestrial.”

If certain spots have already been broadcast on social networks with the tricolor giant in the heart of the month of August and a “Nike GT Hustle 2” was released in the colors of the Spurs for its first season on the NBA planet, the number 1 from the last draft was also entitled to honors from his equipment supplier during the World Basketball Festival organized in New York a few days ago. We then saw him alongside many other stars of the brand, such as Ja Morant, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Just to remind us that he has changed his world.

NBA2K, haircut: buzz with every release

If his flexibility has been around the world, Victor Wembanyama has also been talked about in other ways during his summer break. An image revealed by his new teammate Jeremy Sochan during a physical training session set the web on fire. The reason ? Wemby’s new hair style with an atypical hair color to say the least. But his name also found itself at the heart of the debates when the video game NBA2K revealed its notes for the 2024 edition. While he participated in the filming to model his character, the number 1 in the draft indeed displays a score of 84, the highest in history for a rookie. Something to talk about once again. But Wemby is used to it.

Discovering San Antonio and Texan fans with Ginobli

Like any NBA franchise, the Spurs leave nothing to chance to put their new nugget in the best conditions. And before returning to training with the whole team, Wembanyama was able to soak up the atmosphere of the region. We saw him with the other new Spurs players taking a tour of San Antonio, or participating in some activities in complete relaxation. With a luxury guide since Manu Ginobili, the former member of the legendary Texan trio with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, accompanied him, as the franchise revealed on its social networks. Hat on his head, Wemby has also strived in recent days to increase his popularity even further with Texan fans by appearing in a local bar and posing in front of his mural.

Additional criticism and sources of motivation

Although he has taken a step back from the media, Victor Wembanyama has not been forgotten by them, particularly in the United States. Regularly throughout the summer, Wemby found himself at the heart of certain discussions during podcasts in particular. And he was not always spared. “The hype is crazy in my opinion. It’s way too much. (…) You all act as if you’ve never seen this,” said Tracy McGrady, citing Bol Bol and Kristaps Porzingis to demonstrate that he had already seen according to him, players with the same skills. Tim Hardaway, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, followed the same path: “I think Bol Bol is better. Bol has better physical talent and is more ready to play right now in the NBA than Victor is “, launched the former Warriors or Heat back.

2023-09-26 21:39:00
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