Victor Wembanyama, the 19-year-old basketball prodigy, is on the cusp of becoming the number one pick in the NBA Draft, aiming to follow in the footsteps of successful French exports to the league.
Wembanyama’s final domestic game in France saw his club, Metropolitans 92, suffer defeat in the league finals against Monaco, concluding a series sweep.
However, his focus now shifts to the upcoming Draft, where he is expected to be selected first and potentially join the San Antonio Spurs. It is worth noting that the Spurs were home to Tony Parker, the most accomplished French player in NBA history, who secured four NBA titles with the team.
The significance of Wembanyama’s last game cannot be understated, as it took place on the centre court at Roland Garros, in front of 15,000 spectators. This venue, which recently hosted the French Open tennis Grand Slam finals, showcases the impact he has made in France throughout the season.
While Wembanyama has been closely monitored in France for several years, his international recognition soared when his club was invited to play against Ignite, a G-League team, in Las Vegas last October. In those games, he displayed his prowess by scoring 37 and 36 points, respectively, even facing off against another highly regarded draft pick, Scoot Henderson.
LeBron James further fueled the hype, describing Wembanyama as an “alien” due to his unprecedented combination of height, fluidity, and grace on the court.
Upon Wembanyama’s return to France, tickets for Metropolitans 92 games at their modest 2,800-capacity gym sold out within an hour, solidifying his status as a major attraction both at home and on the road.
His presence consistently filled arenas across the country, attracting a diverse audience that included actor Michael Douglas and Paris Saint-Germain’s star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Wembanyama’s exceptional abilities extend beyond his height, as he moves with the agility and finesse of a much smaller player. His shot-blocking skills have been particularly formidable, earning him the title of Best Blocker in the French league, among numerous other accolades such as MVP, Best Young Player, Best Defender, and Top Scorer. Additionally, he possesses remarkable passing skills and has displayed a reliable three-point shot, a valuable asset in today’s NBA.
Vincent Collet, Wembanyama’s coach at Metropolitans 92 and also the coach of the French national team, holds a firm belief in the young player’s future success.
While acknowledging his potential, Collet emphasizes the importance of Wembanyama utilizing his height closer to the basket instead of relying heavily on three-point attempts.
Collet envisions Wembanyama averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in the NBA, confident that he will continue to develop into an extraordinary player.
As Wembanyama prepares to take the next step in his basketball journey, Collet expresses his hope that he has adequately prepared the rising star for the challenges that lie ahead, believing that he has played a significant role in guiding Wembanyama toward his promising future.
