Wemby Biggest Draft Pick Since Le Bron
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
It was no surprise the San Antonio Spurs wanted Victor Wembanyama, who many believe will be a top player of his generation with talent comparable to LeBron James, as the No. 1 2023 NBA Draft pick.
There were 59 other NBA hopefuls joined by their friends and family who also waited eagerly for their names to be called. The Spurs were first on the clock and selected Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4, 237 lbs. center from France, followed by the Charlotte Hornets who chose Alabama’s freshman Brandon Miller at No. 2, and then the Portland Trail Blazers who selected Scoot Henderson from the Ignite team of the G League, the NBA’s development league at No 3. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 22.
“Probably the best night of my life,” said Wembanyama about how it felt being chosen No 1. “I’ve been dreaming about this for so long.”
The 19-yr-old played for the Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite league and led his team in points and rebounds. His NBA draft profile boosted a well-rounded player that averaged 21.9 points per game,10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 32.3 minutes of play as of May 10. He led the FIBA Under 19 Basketball World Cup in 2021 with 40 blocks in the tournament.
“I’ve heard a lot about breakfast tacos,” he laughed and then reflected more about what excited him the most about going to San Antonio. “I can’t wait to wear my first Spurs jersey. Yeah, I can’t wait. It’s the start of such a great adventure.”
“To Victor, I wanted to say to you directly, we’re excited to grow with you, support you, challenge you, especially Coach Pop,” said Spurs General Manager Brian Wright following the draft as tweeted by the team. “Your talent is obvious, but as we got to know you- the maturity, the approach, the character – really showed us how special of a young man you are and as an organization we are extremely excited to welcome you to the city of San Antonio and the Spurs family.”
LeBron James was asked about Wembanyama in a postgame interview Oct. 6, following the Los Angeles Lakers/Phoenix Suns preseason match Oct. 5 held in Las Vegas.
“I’ve never seen — no one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor,” James said. “His ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step back jumpers out on the post, step back threes, catch and shoot threes, block shots, he’s for sure a generational talent.”
Victor and the Metropolitans 92 took on the Ignite team in Las Vegas Oct. 4 for the first of two exhibition games. Wembanyama led his team with 37 points and 5 blocks in the game.
Henderson was also showcased in the game and led the Ignite with 28 points and nine assists. According to his draft profile, the 6-2, 195 lbs. point guard graduated Carlton J. Kell High School at 17-yrs-old and joined the Ignite in 2021. Henderson, now 19, was the youngest player to ever play in the G League and averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 30.7 minutes, according to the NBA.
“I’m the most prepared player in the draft,” Henderson said about being a top prospect drafted outside the traditional college path. “The fact that I went there for two years just taught me so much.”
The ‘6″9, 200 lbs. Miller, selected at No 2, led Alabama to the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Southeastern Conference named him both SEC Player of the Year and the SEC Freshman of the Year. His draft stats champion 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in 37 appearances.
The NBA Summer League games start July 3.
