2023-05-17 06:33:04
Victor Wembanyama in the footsteps of Tony Parker: the French prodigy will certainly make his debut in the National Basket Association (NBA) at the San Antonio Spurs, who inherited the first choice in the draft lottery and should not fail to select him .
It was around 2:30 a.m. in Paris when Mark Tatum, vice-president of the NBA traditionally in charge of this mission, revealed the name of the happy franchise to the cameras, after a process mixing probability and chance which initially gave him a 14% chance of winning this lottery, the maximum possible.
Surrounded by his family and friends, including the star of Paris SG Kylian Mbappé, during an evening organized for this occasion, some images of which were simultaneously broadcast live on ESPN, “Wemby” attended, inevitably, with great interest this very followed event across the Atlantic, which already seems to be making its way into the NBA, where it will make its debut in October, next season.
“I can’t really describe how I feel, my heart is pounding. I have everyone I love around me, it’s a really special moment that I will remember all my life. I am a team player, I will do everything to win as many matches as possible. I want to try to get a (champion) ring as soon as possible, so be ready”he reacted hotly, at the microphone of the American media giant.
Bluffing by his ease in managing the enormous expectations around the young man that he is still 19 years old, in recent months, Victor Wembanyama could not hide his emotion.
Favorite to be N.1
Admittedly, he will only officially know his destination in five weeks, during the annual high mass of the draft, organized on June 22 in Brooklyn. But that evening, barring a huge surprise, his name will be spoken first by league commissioner Adam Silver, who will thus reveal the choice of Spurs.
Because he is the most popular of the 60 candidates who will be recruited one by one, over two rounds, by the thirty franchises of the highest championship in the world. And therefore the most coveted.
And we can’t imagine the Spurs setting their sights on a player other than him, among the 60 « prospects » (hopes) from American universities, the G-League (minor league, antechamber of the NBA) and foreign championships, which will be selected one by one over two rounds (two per club).
San Antonio and France is already a great love story in the world of the orange ball. Because 22 years ago, the Texas team selected a certain Tony Parker, with the success we know: four league titles out of the five that Spurs have. “After all the history I had there, it would be huge”moreover suitable « TP » the last days.
“Yeesssssssssssssssss!!! Go Spurs, go!!”reacted, so happy Tuesday, the Argentinian Manu Ginobili, who was victorious campaigns of San Antonio with Parker.
Wembanyama will therefore likely be taken in hand by Gregg Popovich, one of the best coaches in the history of basketball. A makeover for the 74-year-old veteran who obviously hopes to revive his franchise, having finished with one of the three worst records in the league this season.
At the time, « Coach Pop » had known how to do it with Tim Duncan, another teammate of Parker at Spurs and who has since simply become one of the best interiors in history. What the young Victor aspires to from the height of his 19 years, ready to launch an irresistible « Maniac » in a few months in the NBA.
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