Victor Wembanyama, who made his debut on Friday with the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets, said it was a special day for him but also admitted he still has a lot to learn in order to succeed in the NBA.
The Frenchman was selected a few weeks ago with the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Spurs.
Wembanyama reveals his all-time NBA top five
“It’s really special to wear that jersey for the first time, it’s really an honor and, overall, I’m glad we won this game,” Wembanyama said afterwards.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know what I was doing on the court tonight but I’m trying to learn for the next games. The important thing is to be ready for the season.”
Wembanyama: A prodigious player
Considered the most promising rookie in the NBA since the arrival of LeBron James 20 years ago, the 19-year-old French prodigy recorded nine points, eight rebounds, three assists and five blocks in his first game with the San Antonio franchise.
Standing at 2.22 meters tall, Wembanyama showed in his first game in the USA that he possesses incredible ball-handling skills for a center of his size and an ability to intimidate opponents and grab rebounds with a wingspan that exceeds 2.40m.
A poor 2/13 shooting
On offense, perhaps due to the nerves of the moment, he registered a poor two of 13 in shooting, making just one of his six in three-pointers, losing three balls and, at times, looking too hasty.
The French giant, whose urgent task is to gain muscle to be able to fight with the NBA stars, was greeted with applause from the warm-up at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, where 17,500 people attended the game to see him in action.
