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San Antonio Spurs select Victor Wembanyama in 2023 NBA Draft

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby: Jonathan Wagner06/23/23j_wags74
Wembanyama draft
Christian Liewig - Corbis via Getty Images.

It’s finally official. The San Antonio Spurs have found their next franchise cornerstone, selecting Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Wembanyama has been the draft’s expected top pick throughout this cycle, but the news is now officially official.

Viewed as a generational type of prospect, the 7-foot-4 center out of France will look to make an immediate impact in San Antonio as he begins his NBA career.

Playing this season in the Betclic Elite league in France for the Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama has only further solidified his status as the draft’s top player. According to Basketball Reference, he has played in 34 games, averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 blocks per game while playing 32.1 minutes.

The Spurs will be more than happy to add a player of Wembanyama’s caliber to the fold. Having a generational type of big-man has been a franchise staple, thanks to the likes of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Wembanyama hopes to be the next.

San Antonio has not made the playoffs since the 2018-2019 season. They hope that this will allow them to take a leap back into contention, sooner rather than later.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Victor Wembanyama

Even as a center that will tower over most of his opponents, Wembanyama’s game is very strong all-around. On both ends of the floor, Wembanyama should be an instant impact player with the potential to become one of the NBA’s best players right away after being taken with the draft’s first pick.

“Wembanyama’s height combined with his well-rounded skillset makes him one of the highest-ceiling prospects most scouts have ever seen,” RotoWire’s evaluation of the top draft pick said. “Despite being well over seven feet tall, he can handle and shoot the ball like a playmaking wing, but he has skills in the post as well, allowing him to simply shoot over smaller defenders.

“He’s a willing passer, able to punish double-teams. Wembanyama’s length will make him extremely disruptive as a defender and rebounder. His relative quickness will allow him to defend some on the perimeter, where he’s capable of blocking jumpers.”