Victor Wembanyama is projected to be the top pick in the 2023 draft, but he’s more concerned about landing with the right team than being taken No. 1 overall, writes Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops. Wembanyama, who plays for Metropolitans 92 in France, discussed his prospects during Media Day for his team’s new season, which starts this weekend.
“Sports-wise, the most interesting thing is always to find an organization that will take care of the project and the player,” Wembanyama said, as reported by the French outlet BasketSession. “So it’s better to be second, third, or 20th in the Draft if you have a better career afterward. But I don’t know if it’s pride, I have a part in me that says that there must be no one (drafted) in front of me.”
The 18-year-old center stands 7’4″, but he only weighs a little over 200 pounds, so durability is one of the few questions surrounding him as he prepares for his NBA career. Scouts are nearly unanimous in raving about his talent, and he has been a star in international competitions for the past three years.
“What matters to me this season is above all to consolidate a place as a possible No. 1 pick in the draft,” Wembanyama added. “That’s my goal, rather than trying to put on 15 kilos and take risks. I want to strengthen myself, but above all to move towards a favorable situation for the NBA.”
- With the possibility looming that high school players will be allowed to go straight to the NBA in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Jacob Polacheck of ZagsBlog talks to some of the top prospects in the Class of 2024 about how that might affect their decisions. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for players who have the ability to go out of high school and follow their dream of playing in the NBA,” said Ian Jackson of Cardinal Hayes in New York, who is considered one of the top prospects in the class. “I think it’s great and the best part is that it gives high school athletes more choices.” It’s possible that the one-and-done rule could remain in place beyond 2024 even if the NBA and NBPA aim to eventually get rid of it, as Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday.
- Willy Hernangomez and Juancho Hernangomez stood out while leading Spain to the EuroBasket championship, Michael Scotto said in a HoopsHype podcast. Scotto also believes Finland’s Lauri Markkanen showed that he’s ready for a breakout season with the Jazz and that Italy’s Simone Fontecchio could be productive in Utah as well.
- Raptors representative Larry Tanenbaum was unanimously re-elected as chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, the league announced this morning (Twitter link).
Lorenzo Brown was 1st team All Tournament while Juancho literally had 1 good game (admittedly it was a great 1) but zero ppl should be surprised that Lorenzo is gonna be marginalized as far as the narrative of Spain’s title run, especially by American media bc so few people over here watched the games & they can paint it however they want. Michael Scotto might wanna take a sick day from Dunder-Mifflin & rewatch this game… link to m.youtube.com
Actually Brown could (and imho should) have been the MVP of the tournament. I wonder if they preferred to give it to Willy just because Lorenzo was not even a European citizen a couple of months ago.
I could see Willy or Lorenzo as MVP. To not mention Lorenzo & say Juancho led them to the title is… well it’s par for the course tbh
I mean… It’s the second straight Eurobasket in which the winner features an American player with no previous ties to the country (Anthony Randolph played for Slovenia when they won it back in 2017). It is awkward, and it’s conceivable they didn’t want to turn the spotlight on it by giving Lorenzo MVP honors. That said, Willy had a great tournament and is a well-deserved MVP. I just think Lorenzo was more valuable in critical moments.
The Spurs would be a great place for Wembanyama. They have a great track record for developing players, the city is nice (from what I hear), and they have some solid young players to surround him.
But… I do wish the Cavs could get him :)
Cavs have really built something good recently so they aren’t a terrible spot to land.
Unfortunately the Cavs don’t have a first round pick this year. So all I can do is dream.
@Cavs
you dream of the team to be so bad that they have a shot to get the #1 pick? Great consolation but that would mean they had a horrible disappointing season. We have two allstar caliber bigs. let’s be careful what we wish for.
No, I dream of the Cavs somehow through a miracle acquire a first round pick that turns into the number 1 pick. I don’t actually think the Cavs have a chance getting him. It’s just fantasy.
The San Antonio Spurs is definitely the team I want to see him go to. Victor Wembanyama will look great over there the way that Tim Duncan did.
Wembanyama is a can’t miss. He’s a taller version of Kevin Durant.
Unless he gets injured considering he’s super thin
A lot of teams already set to be tanking/rebuilding that’ll be in the mix for him.
Indiana, San Anontio, Utah and Oklahoma to name a few
Indy if they make the Russ and picks for Heild/Turner trade would be a prime candidate for Victor and that would be a terrific spot for him with Tyrese and Benedict.
San Antonio have to be one of the favourites for worst record with their roster but consider they have coach Pop and some young guys that’ll get hot I could see them winning more games than expected. Either way it would be a good spot for Victor.
Utah needs to trade away the vets to start the rebuild and even then with Sexton THT Markeneen I can see them winning a fair few games. Victor and Lauri would be a cool duo tho.
OKC don’t need Victor with Chet but he’s currently out and they will lose a lot of games once again. Even after Victor, the concencous second overall at this stage is Scoot Henderson a point guard and they don’t need another one of those either. If they get a top pick once again they might be in the market of trading it for a star.
My personal preference would be for Indy to get him and do some kinda trade to send out Heild and Turner. Even if it’s not the lakers both players would have a good market right now. Dallas in particular I think would be terrific for Myles Turner.
A team that’s going to lose a lot of games this season that you didn’t mention is the Charlotte Hornets. They lost Miles Bridges with his legal issues and that’s major. Outside of LaMelo Ball he’s their best player and he’s their best defensive player that can guard four positions. He’s extremely athletic and a highlight reel waiting to happen. I hope he can get his legal issues behind him and seek help and make it back to the NBA next year. So I also think the Charlotte Hornets will have a chance to get Victor Wembanyama.
Yeah that’s true but I think they won’t be trying to tank/rebuild they will be actually trying to win as many games as possible.
As for Miles, yeah that’s a big loss. They probably should look to try rebuild through the draft a little but I don’t think they will. Ben Simmons would be a good trade target for them I think. Great defender, athletic, he and LaMelo would be so good together even with his lack of outside shot.
Not to mention I still see Scary Terry and Gordan Haywards as guys that’ll contribute to wins too
I’d want to see Wembanyana go to:
Hornets
Pacers
Spurs
Pistons