NBA Draft 2023: 5 way-too-early Rookie of the Year favorites
2023 NBA Draft: No. 1 Rookie of the Year candidate, Victor Wembanyama
Scouting Report. C. France. Victor Wembanyama. Pick Analysis. 1. player. 29
The Spurs will feast like champions tonight and forevermore. Victor Wembanyama is the best basketball prospect since LeBron James. He has the chance to change the fortunes of San Antonio, joining a franchise with a unique history of No. 1 pick bigs. Wembanyama is already expected to phone Tim Duncan once he arrives in Texas.
The main roadblock between Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year is probably load management. The new collective bargaining agreement stipulates that players must participate in 65 games in order to qualify for awards. The Spurs are expected to be cautious with Wemby’s health, but it’s hard to imagine even the most cautious approach leading to 18 missed games unless injury strikes.
Wembanyama has worked harder than most to get ahead of the curve when it comes to injury prevention. The Spurs, meanwhile, have the pieces to potentially contend sooner than later if Wemby delivers on his superstar hype. Devin Vassell is a very real No. 2, while players like Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan should look great in streamlined roles. The Spurs also have a lot of money to burn in free agency. Wemby will have the numbers, and he might have the wins to back up a Rookie of the Year case too.
The 19-year-old from Nanterre, France was the MVP of a top-five league in the world last season. He dominated professional competition across the board and led his team to the championship round. He is as proven as NBA rookies come.
At 7-foot-5, Wembanyama is not only capable of creating his own shot at all three levels. He’s highly adaptive and flexible, capable of operating as a play-creator or play-finisher depending on the personnel around him. On the defensive end, he’s the best rim protection prospect in ages and he figures to revamp the Spurs’ dreadful defense after last season.
Assuming he’s on the court, it’s hard to imagine anybody surpassing Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year. The Spurs are about to have the most exciting young player in basketball.
Next. Grading every pick from the 2023 NBA Draft. dark
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