In a no-brainer move, the San Antonio Spurs select Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in the NBA Draft, and fans rejoiced on Twitter.
The 2023 NBA Draft officially arrived on Thursday, June 22, but it officially began with the No. 2 pick. Why’s that? Well, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Draft Lottery back on May 16, which gave them the first-overall pick and the right to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama.
The 7-foot-5 center was a much-hyped prospect for years, and the belief was that he would be the No.1 overall pick in the 2023 class.
On Thursday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stepped up to the podium and announced that the Spurs used their first-overall pick on Wembanyama in a no-brainer move.
Victor Wembanyama (@vicw_32) is selected 1st overall by the @spurs in the 2023 #NBADraft presented by State Farm! pic.twitter.com/mO9ai0uKu6
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2023
San Antonio has had some success with No. 1 picks. Back in 1987, they selected David Robinson. In 1997, they drafted Tim Duncan. Both big men became the face of the Spurs franchise during their playing careers and brought many championships to the city.
Now, the expectation is that Wembanayama can do the same.
Spurs Twitter reacts to team selecting Victor Wembanyama
Let’s take a look at some of the reactions on Twitter, including from Spurs fans celebrating the top prospect arriving in San Antonio for the start of his NBA career.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1672034675970252801?s=20
No. 1 draft picks in @spurs history
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 23, 2023
Titles w/ Spurs
David Robinson 2
Tim Duncan 5
Victor Wembanyama ??? pic.twitter.com/Ft4TgRh5t8
I just love this so much. I cannot wait to welcome Victor Wembanyama to San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/X0xtSfzCt7
— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) June 23, 2023
With the 1st pick of the 2023 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Victor Wembanyama 🇫🇷
— Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) June 23, 2023
THE GREATEST 19-YEAR-OLD BASKETBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME pic.twitter.com/3CovUH57xL
The San Antonio Spurs pick Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 overall pick in the #NBADraft This is the reaction at the Roo Pub in San Antonio. #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/mcarQ3JEHX
— Priscilla Aguirre (@CillaAguirre) June 23, 2023
Tears in my eyes he’s finally a Spur
— TeeKay #SurvivedDeGea (@SpurWembanyama) June 23, 2023
It’s Robinson, Duncan and now Wembanyama. What a get for my Spurs!! We’re back baby!! #PorVida
— Joshua McLaughlin (@mclaughlinshow) June 23, 2023
The San Antonio Spurs have officially drafted Victor Wembanyama!! Tonight we ride!! pic.twitter.com/0b8ARfrNCj
— PJ Hoops (@RealPjHoops) June 23, 2023
The AT&T Center erupted after the @spurs selected Victor Wembanyama!! #Spurs #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/O1yywar0Pm
— Jose Arredondo (@sportsguyjose) June 23, 2023
And with the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft , the San Antonio Spurs select…
— Carolina ‘CT’ Teague (@carolinateague_) June 23, 2023
Victor Wembanyama! #Porvida @Sports2NiteTX #Wemby #Spurs #GoSpursGo #ATTcenter pic.twitter.com/ckMAOjKBfh
Wembanyama was overcome with emotion when speaking with ESPN’s Monica McNutt on the couch alongside his siblings, saying “Hearing that sentence from Adam Silver, I’ve dreamed of it so much.”
During his interview, Spurs forward with European connections of his own, Jeremy Sochan, approached Wembanyama to congratulate him on getting drafted.
"I've been waiting for this for so long."
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2023
Victor Wembanyama is greeted by new teammate Jeremy Sochan after being drafted 1st overall by the @spurs! pic.twitter.com/OaksIpw6DV
This past season with the Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A, Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.4 assists, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field in 34 games played.
After over a month of anticipation, Spurs fans can now celebrate the fact that they have one of the most hyped prospects in quite some time in Wembanyama.