19 year old Victor Wembanyama was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs as first pick as the 2023 NBA Draft comes to a start. This teenager has been one of the rising stars in the world of US basketball, some comparing him to previous game legend LeBron James.
James himself said about the young athlete:
“He’s more like an alien, he’s for sure a generational talent.”
Wembanyama approves this description of himself, preferring it over the term ‘unicorn’ which is usually said to refer to a teenage player who can ‘do it all’. He said:
“First of all, I’m really glad he said that because I didn’t like to be called a unicorn. I like being called an alien. I like it because it’s just something not from this world. It’s really what I’m working to be- something unique and original.”
His chosen sport may not come as a surprise considering he measures to an impressive 7ft and 5 inches, with a wingspan of 8ft. He played for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans in his home nation of France for the past season, averaging 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2.5 assists over 44 games.
The draft this year was held in Brooklyn, with Adam Silver announcing the chosen players. About this, Wembanyama commented:
“Hearing that sentence from Adam Silver, I’ve dreamed of it so much I have to cry, man.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, congratulated the athlete on securing the position of “the first Frenchman to be the first pick in the NBA draft” and said “You’re already making us dream, Victor Wembanyama. No doubt about it: you’ll change the game!”
Coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich said:
“We’re thrilled that we were able to bring Victor on board. He’s obviously a heck of a talent, a very mature young man. But just like with every draft pick, whether it’s the first pick or the 27th pick, or the 38th pick, we have a responsibility to each and every one to create an environment where they can reach the best success possible for them. We’re going to get him on the court and we’re going to see him okay, and we’ll go from there.”
