Who is Victor Wembanyama, the French prospect who could be the No. 1 pick in 2023?
NBA teams are fighting over a 7′3″ French basketball player, who won’t be available until 2023. Who is Victor Wembanyama and why is he driving scouts crazy?
We may be a far ways off from the 2023 NBA season right now, but the trade and free agent moves are already indicating what’s in store for the 2023 Draft. It all comes back to one young man - Victor Wembanyama.
Having turned 18 on January 4, Wembanyama just barely missed the cutoff for being part of the NBA Draft in 2022. Thus, he and the NBA teams after him will have to wait until next year to fight over him. So who is this rising star and where did he come from?
Who is Victor Wembanyama?
Some are calling Victor Wembanyama the next LeBron James. Born in Le Chesnay, France, Wembanyama grew up playing basketball in his hometown and at 18 years old, is already playing impressive ball in France’s top professional league as well as the Euroleague. He recently signed a two-year contract with Metropolitans 92 Paris and is now set to make his debut with the French national team in the Eurobasket. In 16 games last year, he averaged 9.4 points, five rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 3.1 three-point attempts per game.
Wembanyama played in the FIBA U19 gold medal game between the US and France. He was up against 2022′s No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren plus Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis, and several other talented American players. But it was the matchup between Wembanyama and Holmgren that kept spectators mesmerized. Though the Americans took the win, Wembanyama finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and one steal on 5-of-9 shooting from two, 1-of-5 shooting from three, and 8-of-8 shooting from the foul.
Wembanyama’s name may be new to your ears, but those inside the league have been well aware of Wembanyama for a while now. But why?
Victor Wembanyama is listed at 7′3″ tall, but looking at this photo of him standing next to Zach Edey, who’s listed at 7′4″ makes one think that’s fake news.
Anyway, the point is, he’s tall. Not to mention, he’s got a 7′9″ wingspan, which is comparable to Yao Ming, who had a 7′5″ wingspan. At 230 pounds, he has a level of agility and quickness that’s rare to see in someone his size. He is a versatile player, as a lob threat on offense and impressive rim protector on defense. He’s shown he knows how to block shots, hit threes, and make quick, clean passes.
Which lucky team could scoop up Wembanyama?
It’s too soon to know for sure, but there are definitely some competitors hoping to snag the young talent.
The Houston Rockets were lucky to get Jabari Smith at No. 3 this year, but will still have to work hard to do better than their 20-62 record from last season. With a star like Wembanyama, they’d be on their way to a full rebuild.
The San Antonio Spurs have been making moves to rebuild this offseason, sending Dejounte Murray to the Hawks and getting several future draft picks in return. Though Gregg Poppovich isn’t likely to lose on purpose just for better draft picks (we like that), perhaps these moves could lead the Spurs to potentially grab Wembenyama.
The Detroit Pistons secured Caden Ivey and Cade Cunningham the last two years, but have been absorbing player contracts from the Knicks to obtain draft capital instead of building up the roster now. So, it would seem they’ll remain low on the totem pole and have the opportunity for a good pick in the 2023 draft.
No matter which team gets him, Victor Wembanyama, with his potential star power, is going to be a player to watch in the NBA in 2023.