Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, showed why he is considered a generational talent in his second game of the season. The 19-year-old French center scored a career-high 38 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 121-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Wembanyama, who stands at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-8 wingspan, displayed his versatility and skill on both ends of the floor. He shot 14-of-21 from the field, including 4-of-7 from the three-point line, and made 6-of-8 free throws. He also had 3 assists and 2 steals in 36 minutes of action.
He was especially impressive in the fourth quarter, when he scored 16 points and blocked 4 shots to help the Spurs hold off the Suns, who had won the Western Conference title last season. He scored on a variety of moves, such as a turnaround jumper, a hook shot, a dunk, and a three-pointer. He also protected the rim with his length and timing, rejecting shots by Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges.
The Spurs earn back-to-back wins over the Suns
The Spurs improved to 2-0 on the season, after beating the Suns 108-105 in their season opener on Sunday. They are the only undefeated team in the Western Conference, and have surprised many observers with their fast start.
The Spurs have relied on their young core, led by Wembanyama, Dejounte Murray, and Keldon Johnson, to play with energy and intensity. They have also gotten contributions from their veterans, such as Thaddeus Young, Doug McDermott, and Patty Mills, who have provided leadership and stability.
The Spurs have also played well defensively, holding the Suns to 42.9% shooting from the field and 31.6% shooting from the three-point line in the two games. They have forced 34 turnovers and blocked 18 shots in the series.
The Suns, on the other hand, have struggled to find their rhythm and cohesion, after reaching the NBA Finals last season. They have fallen to 0-2 on the season, and have looked out of sync and frustrated. Booker, who averaged 27.3 points per game last season, has scored only 32 points on 11-of-32 shooting in the two games. Ayton, who signed a five-year, $172 million contract extension on Monday, has been outplayed by Wembanyama, and has averaged 13.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the series.
Wembanyama draws comparisons to some of the best big men in NBA history
Wembanyama’s performance on Tuesday night was one of the best by a rookie in NBA history. He became the first rookie to score at least 38 points, grab at least 12 rebounds, and block at least 7 shots in a game since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993. He also became the youngest player to score at least 38 points in a game since LeBron James in 2004.
Wembanyama’s combination of size, skill, and athleticism has drawn comparisons to some of the best big men in NBA history, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kevin Garnett. He has also been praised for his work ethic, humility, and maturity, despite his young age and high expectations.
Wembanyama, who was born in Nanterre, France, started playing basketball at the age of 6. He played for the French club Nanterre 92, where he won the French Cup and the French Super Cup in 2022. He also represented France at the FIBA U16 European Championship in 2019, where he averaged 22.8 points, 18.4 rebounds, and 7.7 blocks per game, and led his team to the gold medal.
Wembanyama was widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2023 NBA draft, and was selected by the Spurs with the first pick. He signed a four-year, $44.2 million contract with the Spurs, and became the first French player to be drafted No. 1 overall.
Wembanyama has said that his goal is to win championships and become one of the best players in the league. He has also said that he wants to inspire other young players from France and Europe to pursue their dreams.
