Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is only 20 years old, yet he already possesses the mindset of a superstar. Like Kobe Bryant, who trained with Hakeem Olajuwon, the latest NBA Rookie of the Year wants to learn from the league’s best players. Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns’ star, represents Wembanyama.
In a recent interview on French television, the new Olympian revealed his personal strategy for developing his game.
“Clearly this is my personal childhood favorite,” the man remarked. “He has become my favorite player…”I explained to him that I wanted to learn from him and possibly steal one or two of his hidden tactics.
Spurs star will keep getting better
These comments followed Wembanyama’s outstanding performance for Team France at the 2024 Olympics. While the French lost to Team USA in the gold medal game, its hero put up a spirited effort, leading all scorers with 26 points on 3-of-8 from three. He also racked up seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
This sample just covers one game, but it already illustrates Victor Wembanyama’s broad skill set, which makes him a generational prospect who could be unguardable when he reaches his full potential. Being seven-foot-four is one thing; being that big and moving swiftly on the court like a wing and handling the ball like a guard is quite another.
Watching him play, you might assume it’s not unusual for Wembanyama to consider Kevin Durant his favorite player. The six-foot-11 forward has become the current NBA’s pattern for tall wings who can put the ball on the floor and shoot from any anywhere on the field.
However, the French superstar may have an advantage on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to earning Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, losing out to Minnesota Timberwolves big man and compatriot Rudy Gobert.
Furthermore, the Spurs signed Chris Paul in free agency to mentor Wembanyama and teach his teammates how to play alongside a true superstar, something they needed after Tim Duncan retired and Kawhi Leonard left. Expect Wembanyama to improve on his averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 46.5% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc.
What about the Suns?
Meanwhile, the Suns will continue to rely on their Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, despite the Wolves embarrassingly sweeping them in the first round of the playoffs last season. Three of their four losses were by double digits, with the Wolves simply outperforming them, despite their attacking prowess.
Will Durant’s Suns legacy follow the Brooklyn Nets’ downfall? We will have to wait till next season to find out.
