The newly renamed Frost Bank Center was buzzing with excitement as Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick, took the court for the first time in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ fans. The 13,200 spectators erupted into applause each time a player stepped onto the court, showing their immense support for their team. Wembanyama expressed his gratitude, stating, “It really warmed my heart to see that every time a player of our team stepped on the court, they almost had a standing ovation. It’s all I expected but it still feels good.”
The Spurs divided their roster into eight-man teams for the open scrimmage, with Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, and Khem Birch as notable absentees. The game consisted of four 10-minute quarters with a running clock. Wembanyama, labeled as a forward on the team’s roster, spent his minutes alongside centers Zach Collins and Charles Bediako. Early in the game, the rookie displayed his passing skills by connecting with Collins on a no-look assist. Wembanyama believes that the best players are those who make their teammates better, saying, “So this is someone I want to get close to. You can’t win by just yourself.”
Impressive Performance
Although the Silver squad emerged victorious with a 74-65 score, Wembanyama made his presence felt during the scrimmage. He showcased his shooting abilities with a step-back 3-pointer, caught an alley-oop from Devonte Graham, and performed well at the free-throw line, hitting 4-of-6 shots. One of the most notable moments of the night came when Wembanyama executed a behind-the-back spin move before delivering a precise pass to Graham for a wide-open shot. Collins praised the rookie’s basketball IQ, stating, “That’s just knowing the game. Him being a natural at it, that’s just his feel. Especially being that young in the NBA and making those passes. He’s a willing passer. That’s half the battle, being willing to make those passes. And he wants to pass. It’s fun to play with.”
Despite limited time on the court together, Collins recognizes Wembanyama’s versatility and is eager to establish chemistry. Collins, known for his ability to shoot from outside, believes that both he and Wembanyama can alternate between inside and outside play, making the power forward and center positions interchangeable. He remarked, “It’s a pick-your-poison type thing, so hopefully we can get that chemistry going. I think we have the skill sets, now it’s just about knowing where the other guy’s going to be at all times. … Hopefully, this preseason we can work out the kinks a little bit and be ready to go opening night.”
Looking Ahead
The Spurs’ preseason starts on Monday night with a game in Oklahoma City, and anticipation is high for Wembanyama’s performance. As the newest addition to the team, his debut scrimmage showcased his talent, passing abilities, and ability to make an impact on the court. Spurs fans have reason to be excited about the future with Wembanyama on their roster.
Victor Wembanyama’s debut scrimmage with the San Antonio Spurs left a lasting impression on both fans and teammates. His passing skills, shooting ability, and basketball IQ were on full display during the game, demonstrating his potential to make a significant impact in the NBA. With the preseason just around the corner, both Wembanyama and the Spurs are focused on developing strong chemistry to thrive as a team. Excitement fills the air as the Spurs prepare for their first preseason game, and fans eagerly await Wembanyama’s continued growth and contributions to the team.
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