The Thomas & Mack Center was electric Friday night as Victor Wembanyama, the highly anticipated French basketball prodigy, made his debut in Las Vegas. The number one pick in the 2023 NBA draft showcased his potential in the San Antonio Spurs' victory over the Charlotte Hornets, offering a preview of what's to come.
Wembanyama, standing tall at 19 years old, contributed nine points and eight rebounds for the Spurs. While his shooting performance wasn't stellar (2-13 from the field, 1-6 from three-point range), he demonstrated his all-around skills, dishing out three assists and swatting five shots. The young center reflected on his first game, stating, "It was a truly special moment to wear that jersey for the first time. It’s an honor. I’m happy we won. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing out there, but I'm learning for the next games. The key is being ready for the season."
Brandon Miller, the Hornets' top draft pick, acknowledged Wembanyama's impressive stature and potential, saying, "He’s legitimately 7-6. Victor is a fantastic person, great off the court. He’s going to have an incredible career, and just witnessing him rise to the occasion shows a lot of heart." Wembanyama’s official height, as measured by the Spurs, is 7 feet, 3½ inches.
The French phenom admitted to feeling the physical demands of the game, stating, "There’s a lot of conditioning work to be done. Our play style involves a lot of running, so it's really tiring. Even though I played 40 minutes tonight, every time I came off the court, I was exhausted. I need to focus on improving my conditioning." Wembanyama will continue his Summer League journey on Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
