It’s the big day for Victor Wembanyama, who will play his first regular season game in the NBA next night (3:30 a.m.). The third “big first” of his young career but, unlike what he experienced in Summer League and in preseason, this inaugural meeting takes him more to the guts…
“ It seems even more unreal to me “, admits the Frenchman, on the sidelines of his clash with the Mavericks. “ Maybe a month ago I still thought that some preseason games would prepare me for this moment and that it would just be a game like any other, but this is completely different. The fact that it’s a real regular season game, it’s different. »
At 19, “Wemby” is preparing to definitively enter the big leagues and face the best players on the planet, this time without minutes restrictions. On the other hand, it is possible that the number one of the last Draft is sometimes put to rest by the Spursin order to physically preserve it…
Ready to take on the physical monsters of the NBA
An eventuality to which “Wemby” does not really adhere, who wants to participate in “ every match ” of the season.
“ If there is no excessive risk to my health, and if of course I cannot predict the future, I want to play every match », thus confirms the interior of San Antoniowhile the last Draft number one to have taken part in 82 matches in his rookie year is named Karl-Anthony Towns (Anthony Edwards had also achieved a full success, but during an exercise shortened to 72 matches).
Still regarding this famous physical aspect, Victor Wembanyama does not say he is afraid of what he will face in the NBA, against some of the best athletes on the planet…
“ Being physical with me is something I’ve experienced my whole life, almost every time I’ve stepped on the floor over the last few years, so it’s not something that scares me », declares the favorite for the title of Rookie of the year. “ Speed trumps physicality when used correctly. It’s part of the game and I’m used to it. »
As a reminder, in preseason, Victor Wembanyama posted averages of 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks, in just 21 minutes of play and 51% shooting, 32% 3-pointers and 86% free throws.
