San Antonio’s Rising Star Looks to Apply Olympic Lessons to NBA Success
Victor Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft, learned a valuable lesson during his high-stakes experience at the Olympics in France over the summer. “It’s hard to win games, but it’s very easy to lose them,” he said, reflecting on the pressure-packed tournament.
Wembanyama, who led his team to a gold medal, understands that the intensity of the Olympics is unlike anything he’s faced in the NBA. However, he believes that applying the lessons he learned can fast-track the San Antonio Spurs’ path back to contention.
The 20-year-old phenom described the Olympics as “the most intense sports experience in my life,” where he and his teammates were completely focused on the next play for 40 minutes. He believes that this level of concentration can be a game-changer for the Spurs.
Wembanyama spent the summer working on his strength, gaining 25 pounds to reach 235 pounds, which he believes will allow him to expand his game and play through contact more effectively. Coach Gregg Popovich watched Wembanyama’s growth firsthand, praising his aggressiveness and physicality.
New teammate Harrison Barnes, who watched the Olympics, was impressed by Wembanyama’s performance, particularly in the gold medal game. “It just shows the growth and maturity that he has for a guy his age to be playing in that type of moment at home,” Barnes said.
Shooting guard Devin Vassell offered a bold prediction for Wembanyama’s second season, saying that the game is slowing down for him and that he’s seeing the court more clearly. Vassell believes that Wembanyama’s continued improvement will be “scary for the league” this year.
Wembanyama remains focused on his responsibilities and is determined to help the Spurs turn the corner towards postseason contention. With his newfound strength, experience, and maturity, he’s poised to take on a bigger role and lead his team to success.
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