Victor Wembanyama will be the very first Frenchman in history to be drafted in first position. He should, theoretically, join the San Antonio Spurs.
The first pick in the NBA lottery offered Victor Wembanyama the right to play in Texas at the San Antonio Spurs. Following in the footsteps of Tony Parker and under the leadership of Greg Popovich, the French prodigy could not possibly have dreamed of better for his debut with the league, he who is as expected as a LeBron James at the time. Asked a few minutes after this lottery (the draft will not be until June 22), the now former Mets player has already spoken of his ambitions and is aiming for the NBA title. It's a moment I will always remember," he told ESPN. I'm a team player. I'm going to do everything to win as many matches as possible. I want to win a ring ( champion) ASAP. Get ready (smile)!"
This Wednesday, May 17, a few hours after the lottery, Victor Wembanyama told in a video for the NBA that he expected the San Antonio Spurs to win the draft lottery and that much of France wanted see it down there. "There is a special connection between France and the Spurs, explained the young international (19 years old, 4 selections). Thanks to Tony (Parker), obviously, to Boris (Diaw) too. I knew that half of the country , not to say the whole country, wanted it to be Spurs. I looked around and saw that everyone was happy, so so was I. Without bragging, I knew what was going to happen , and I filmed myself going to practice saying it: "The universe told me" (it was written) So yes, the dreams, the emotions... Sometimes it happens like that. " Asked by beIN Sports, "Wemby" expressed his great honor to evolve under the orders of Popovich, emblematic coach of Spurs.
Short biography. Élodie de Fautereau gave birth to Victor Wembanyama on January 4, 2004 at Le Chesnay in the Yvelines. Growing up, the young man followed in the footsteps of his family, who were very invested in sport. His mother is a former basketball player who played in the 3rd division while his father is a triple jumper. His big sister Eve plays in the women's Ligue 2 in Monaco. Cadet Oscar would be between two sports, basketball and handball.
Between 2011 and 2014, Victor Wembanyama wore the Chesnay Versailles 78 Entente jersey before joining the Nanterre 92 club at the age of 10. He remained there until 2020. In 2021 when he signed with the ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, he is designated as the best hope of the French Championship. A reward he received again in 2022 before joining the Metropolitans 92. In 2022, the new French darling left for friendly matches in the United States during which he received a host of praise from players confirmed Americans such as LeBron James.
With 2m21, Victor Wembanyama can look down on many people. Its large size allows it quite easily to reach the basket located at 3m05 from the ground (even with its 105 kilos). He is not the greatest basketball player in France since Vincent Pourchot exceeds him by one cm.
Standing with his arms outstretched, Victor Wembanyama has a wingspan of 2.43m, more than any other player in the NBA right now. Rudy Gobert, for example, has an estimated wingspan of 2m35 and Giannis Antetokounmpo 2.21m. If it seems disproportionate, Manute Bol, a Sudanese former player of the NBA had at the time a wingspan of 2m59.
Victor Wembanyama's father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The basketball player therefore has Franco-Congolese origins.
Except surprise, Victor Wembanyama will be the first choice of the Draft in 2023. His talent has so dazzled the whole world that the NBA, for example, decided at the beginning of the year to broadcast all the matches of Metropolitans 92. And his margin of progress is still huge. According to Forbes, Levallois-Perret's prospect has a 14% chance of joining the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs or Detroit Pistons.
The Frenchman wears size 55 shoes on his feet. The average is 42 for a Frenchman. In the NBA, the most impressive shoe size was that of Shaquille O'Neal. The former glory of the Lakers was doing 63!
Victor Wembanyama's multiple more than convincing performances earned him his first selection for the France team on September 3, 2022. Before being with the A's, "Wemby" won the silver medal at the Euro in 2019 in U16. He also inherited second place with his teammates during the Under-19 World Cup, at the expense of the United States.
The destiny of Victor Wembanyama is promised to the NBA where he will undoubtedly hit the jackpot. While waiting to receive millions, Wemby would receive, according to the Parisian, between 15,000 and 20,000 euros monthly.
