(Washington) Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, welcomed as a rockstar in San Antonio last week after being drafted in first position, trained with the Spurs for the first time on Friday.
“It was really nice! I was warmly welcomed and I’m very much looking forward to it,” the 19-year-old Frenchman said of the preparation matches (Summer League) due to start next week.
The Spurs are due to travel to Las Vegas to face Charlotte next Friday and then Portland on July 9, the two clubs that had the second and third picks respectively in the draft, Brandon Miller at the Hornets and Scoot Henderson at the Trail Blazers.
The 2.24 pivot assured me that this first contact with his teammates had solidified his satisfaction at having been chosen by the Spurs.
“I was told that the team dynamic was good on and off the court and I could already feel it. This reinforces my certainty that this is the right place for me, ”said the former Boulogne-Levallois player.
Wembanyama’s arrival has sparked excitement in the United States, where his potential is considered one of the highest in NBA history.
“Every day has been different since I’ve been in the United States. I think I spent more time with the media than on the pitch. I’m happy to be able to start settling in,” he commented.
Of his new coach, the venerable Gregg Popovich, 74, known for his hot temper, Wembanyama said: “I thought I would get my first shouting match, but not yet! “He does more gymnastics than I thought. Every morning he runs on the mat, he lifts weights,” he added.
“Apart from that, he communicates a lot with me. He wants to take care of me and prevent me from making certain mistakes,” said the Frenchman.