After Victor Wembanyama was the big topic of the NBA, the super talent was on the court for the first time. In the Summer League, the San Antonio Spurs player was only marginally convincing.
Top draft Victor Wembanyama made his long-awaited debut in the NBA Summer League no miracles have been accomplished. The 19-year-old Frenchman only hit two of 13 throws from the field at 76:68 San Antonio Spurs against the Charlotte Hornets. Overall, Wembanyama had nine points, eight rebounds and three assists in just over 27 minutes of play. With five blocks, however, his defensive work made a powerful impression.
Wembanyama admitted that he still has to get used to the NBA’s style of play: “To be honest, I didn’t know what to do on the pitch tonight, but I’m trying to study for the next few games. The most important thing is that I’m ready for the season.” The hardest thing for him was “the moves and instructions“to understand correctly.”The biggest improvement I need to make is that I’m ready to react to the plays made by the Point Guard were proclaimed‘ Wembanyama said.
Club and experts call for patience
Sell out in front of 17,500 fans Thomas & Mack Center Wearing the Spurs jersey for the first time in Las Vegas is still “a very special moment” been for the 2.24 m tall center. You have to “deal with him patientlyn,” said Spurs general manager Brian Wright at “ESPN“.”He’s extremely altruistic, a really good passer and he only cares about the team.“
Center legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was replaced by LeBron James as the best scorer in NBA history in February, also called for patience with Wembanyama. “He will not learn everything at once‘ said Abdul-Jabbar.
Start of the season in three and a half months
The regular season in the NBA begins on October 24th. After the Summer League, in which primarily rookies and less experienced NBA pros gather match practice, there are training camps and targeted preparatory games of the NBA clubs with the entire squad. Wembanyama skips the World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines (25 August to 10 September).