On the floor, he is closest to the black ceiling of the former Spurs training center, which he will leave Tuesday to begin the final preparation camp with the Texas franchise in brand new facilities. A cluster of journalists follows the movements of the 19-year-old Frenchman, who slides with ease from a photo shoot to the small seats of a press conference, where he juggles between English and French.
"It's always crazy, sometimes I realize I'm in the NBA, I'm playing for the Spurs. It's a little unreal, but it's normal, it's still fresh, "said the prodigy, selected in No. 1 of the Draft in June by the Texas franchise, where his compatriot Tony Parker had shone before him.
"I'm going to find out these things that I was seeing on TV. The stadiums, the atmospheres, it's all going to be precious. I'm going to experience incredible things. I know I'm making memories forever."
After an appearance in the Summer League in July, Wembanyama "completely rested" for a few weeks, before returning to training in San Antonio, where he enjoys the middle of a particularly young group, between team dinners and bowling games.
"Cerebral"
"He adapted brilliantly," praised his coach Gregg Popovich, who extended to 74 years at the Spurs to cornaquate the prodigy. He is very mature for his age. He's a cerebral, he's very smart and he's a good guy. He had no problem arriving to earn the respect of his teammates, understand his environment and his new responsibilities."
Victor Wembanyama at the media day in San Antonio, October 2, 2023 © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
A huge player (2.24 m according to the NBA, 2.21 m according to him) with unique agility for his size, Wembanyama sweated in the weight room this summer and gained "between 4 and 7 kilos", without distorting his slender figure. "I don't want to go too fast."
"I have the best physical condition of my life. I learned more about my body in three months than in the previous five years, thanks to numerous tests. This offseason is going to count, and not just for this year."
The NBA resumes on October 24, with the Spurs playing their first home game on October 25 against Dallas.
"I don't know if I can talk about particular expectations, I want to learn how to win as quickly as possible," said "Wemby", while the Texas franchise has not played in the playoffs since 2019 and won only 22 games last season (60 losses).
Spurs French prodigy Victor Wembanyama, during the media day in San Antonio, October 2, 2023 © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
The former player of Nanterre, Asvel and Metropolitans of Boulogne-Levallois knows he is expected by his opponents who will not fail to play "physical" to test him. "After what I experienced last year (in the France Championship, editor's note), nothing scares me anymore," he said.
"Freak"
On the floor side, Spurs have several young versatile players, including the Frenchman, whom his coach did not want to confirm in a particular position.
"I know I can help this team, the best way is not to lock myself into a box. He (Popovich) knows it. We know that we are going to do something original, special, "says the child of Chesnay (Yvelines).
Victor Wembanyama submits to a photo shoot in San Antonio, October 2, 2023 © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
"I've played number 4 (strong winger) all my life, it can go on without a problem. I have a good understanding on the field with pivot Zach Collins. When I play with a physical +5+ (pivot) in the racket, it works well."
His teammates were raving about the new "freak", as Jeremy Sochan calls him.
"Every game he's going to do something crazy. Sometimes it doesn't make sense, the basket seems so low! You're in for a treat to watch it this season," promises Devin Vassell.
© 2023 AFP