Victor Wembanyama was the most highly-touted NBA draft prospect of all time. By the time 2023 rolled around, every NBA fan was keenly aware of him. The San Antonio Spurs, though, were ahead of the curve.
By the time the 2023 NBA Draft rolled around, everyone on Earth knew that the San Antonio Spurs were going to select Victor Wembanyama with the first pick. Wemby was one of the most hyped draft prospects ever, and the season before saw a race to the bottom as team after team tanked their way into the lottery.
Of course, even the worst team in the league had only a 12.5 percent chance at the number one pick. That year's draft lottery was one of the most transformational in NBA history, and as soon as the ping-pong balls went the Spurs' way, mock drafts could be finalized.
Wemby, it seemed, was thrilled to be picked by the Spurs. Of course, the adoration went both ways, as the Spurs invested heavily in him even before he came to America.
Spurs Were Ahead of the Victor Wembanyama Hype
Gregg Popovich and RC Buford helped normalize international scouting. They landed Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili when no one else knew who they were. Wembanyama, though, amassed global attention well before 2023.
Still, the Spurs were ahead of everyone else.
"Our CEO actually saw him, he was in the gym, just happened to be in the gym, he actually wasn't planning to see him," Brian Wright told Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Macdonald on Hard Knocks. "He was 16, or was just about to turn 16, and came back after his trip and said, 'I think that's the greatest player I've ever seen in my life.' And literally 12 months later, we put the play into motion and turned the team over and had the chance to draft him in a couple years."
That places Buford in France scouting Wemby in late 2019, if Wright's recollection is correct. Within two and a half seasons, the Spurs traded away Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, and Jakob Poeltl. LaMarcus Aldridge was waived. DeMar DeRozan agreed to a sign-and-trade to the Bulls.
All that for just a slim chance to land him!
The gamble paid off, though, and Wembanyama has lived up to the hype. On the court, he's already one of the best players in the NBA. Off the court, he continues to amaze the Spurs.
"He wants to be the best player ever," added Mitch Johnson. "He can tell you that without a blink. Like, I want to be the best player ever, which is a great statement. He's never done anything that puts himself above the team, ever."
Heading into his fourth season, Wembanyama is the face of the NBA, and the Spurs are expected to win the Finals. It's a match made in heaven. For the Spurs, though, that was never in doubt.
