According to TMZ Sports on Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs have selected power forward and center Victor Wembanyama of Le Chesnay, France first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. It was widely expected that Wembanyama would be selected first overall, and on Thursday, everything came to fruition.
The reason why it was expected is because of Wembanyama’s height, as he is 7’4″. To put everything into perspective, he is only three inches shorter than the two tallest basketball players of all-time–Gheorghe Mursean of Tritenii de Jos, Romania and Manute Bol of Turalei, Sudan, who were each at 7’7″. One must realize at 19 years of Wembanyama might still grow to be even taller.
Wembanyama dominated the Pro A season in France this past year for the Metropolitans 92. He was the league’s most valuable player, the league’s best young player, the best defender, the best scorer, and the best blocker. Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points per game. The Metropolitans made the Pro A finals, but lost to Monaco. A year earlier in 2021-22, Wembanyama played for LDLC ASVEL. He was the Pro A’s best young player that season too, and helped LDLC ASVEL win a championship as LDLC ASVEL beat Monaco three games to two. Wembanyama played alongside former Phoenix Suns guard Elie Okobo of Bordeaux, France during his time with LDLC ASVEL.
Wembanyama is the first ever player from France drafted first overall. It is the second straight year a European player was drafted first. Last season, the Orlando Magic selected forward Paolo Banchero, who is of Italian descent.
It should also be noted that Wembanyama will be working alongside head coach Gregg Popovich, who is the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching wins. All of Popovich’s 1364 career wins have come with the Spurs.
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