Tensions were high Tuesday night as representatives from each of the 32 NBA teams held on tight that somehow they would land the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. The San Antonio Spurs, who just came off of their worst season since the franchise’s existence at 22-60 had the best possible odds at 14%.
Let’s just say luck and destiny was on their side of the San Antonio Spurs! On Tuesday night, the ping-pong balls danced, hopped, and fell in San Antonio’s favor. The night was really designated for what many considered the sweepstakes to land the presumed prize, the 7 foot 4 multi-skilled big man from France, Victor Wembanyama.
The San Antonio Spurs organization is the perfect home for such a great talent. As a matter of fact, Victor Wembanyam is stated to be the first once in a lifetime player since LeBron James nearly 20 years ago. Only 19 years-old, the tall big man possesses a guards skillset with the height and agility of a shooting forward.
In the Pro-A league (Metropolitans 92) in Levallois-Perret, Paris, Wembanyama dominated, averaging over 21 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks a game. It’s very unusual for a big man to have such a sense of basketball knowledge and diversity at a young age, but Wembanyama is the total package. Called the “Unicorn” by fans and admirers, it seems that the French star is drawing comparisons to the great LeBron.
The question; is the Frenchman the piece of the puzzle that will bring the Spurs back to their winning tradition? Sports analysts around the basketball world project that Wembanyama will make an instant impact on the league. Only time will tell!
One thing is for certain, the great City of San Antonio can’t wait to get back to NBA prominence. On June 22, the entire city will pop corks and crowd the streets in lieu of Commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement of the No. 1 pick. The 77th edition of the National Basketball Association’s annual draft will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
