SAN ANTONIO _ Victor Wembanyama enjoyed a first victory with the Spurs when there were no spectators, no referees and not even a basketball.
It was an art competition. The Spurs gave their players a few minutes to draw The Coyote, the team mascot.
The top pick in this year’s draft thought for a few seconds and got to work.
The 19-year-old Frenchman has already made it known that he loves art and visits museums and exhibitions. It is therefore not surprising that his design was the winner.
“Since it was a competition, I gave 100 percent,” Wembanyama said. “I wanted to win. »
The 7’4” athlete wants to win in everything he does.
“It’s unbelievable,” Spurs’ Doug McDermott said. “He does things that you can’t really explain. He is so coordinated for his size. He’s very unselfish, he can make any play and he’s very comfortable shooting from anywhere. It’s going to be very fun this season. »
Maybe for Spurs. For opponents, not so much. Some have already gotten a taste of what’s to come, including Reggie Bullock.
Wembanyama knows that the shortest distance between two points is usually a straight line. Maybe that’s why he dribbled through Bullock’s legs in an exhibition game against Houston.
Bullock was near the middle of the field in a defensive stance with his feet wide apart. Wembanyama sent the ball into the opening, eclipsed Bullock and continued towards the basket as if nothing had happened.
The gesture was devoid of any trace of arrogance; Wembanyama was just playing basketball.
“It’s an effective tactic that I’ve been visualizing for weeks,” Wembanyama said. “I was waiting for the opportunity to try it. I don’t want to limit myself to what is conventional. »
The Spurs won 22 games last season, the third worst season in their history. They missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
But the only victory that really mattered happened in a Chicago hotel ballroom. The Spurs won the draft lottery and the chance to draft Wembanyama first overall.
“When you add a player with his ability, your outlook is suddenly better,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
Wembanyama already seems at home in Texas. He wore cowboy hats. He became familiar with the local art scene. And he welcomed the fans and their expectations with open arms, from the first day of his arrival in the city.
One of his first requests was breakfast tacos, a San Antonio classic. One bag was given to him when the plane landed, and others were at the Spurs premises at his first training a few days later.
A simple wish, quickly granted, immediately showed Wembanyama what San Antonio can be like.
“It’s been incredible,” Wembanyama said.
Demand is intense for tickets to Spurs matches, both home and away.
‘Wemby’ doesn’t seem bothered by all the attention, helped by the fact that he was already in the spotlight as a professional in France in recent years.
“It just makes me want to bring everything these people ask for, and all they ask for is wins,” Wembanyama said. “It makes me want to give 100% to the organization and the fans. »
The Spurs will complete their preparatory schedule Friday in San Francisco, against the Golden State Warriors.
Their regular season will begin Wednesday at home, against the Dallas Mavericks.
2023-10-20 17:33:00
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