Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama continues to earn plenty of plaudits after he delivered yet another impressive performance in pre-season for the San Antonio Spurs.
Wembanyama chalked up 23 points as well as four rebounds and assists in the Spurs’ 120-104 win over the Miami Heat.
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While the result is obviously a pleasing one for the Spurs, on an individual level it was Wembanyama who once again dominated the headlines.
Aside from his box score, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft delivered a vicious dunk that left many fans with their jaws on the floor.
San Antonio’s Devin Vassell drove with the ball towards the hoop before dishing out the ball to Wembanyama.
The Frenchman leapt up and reached over Miami’s Thomas Bryant to slam the ball down for a thunderous dunk.
It was just one of several stunning moments from Wembanyama who top scored for the Spurs.
The only player who came close to matching the rookie’s point haul was Vassell, who scored 21 points while no other San Antonio player scored more than 11.
“I’m still learning to do some things defensively, defending the pin downs, for example,” he said.
“I’m really learning a lot, and I’m trying to expand my tools on defense, too,” he added.
Wembanyama said that he felt that both he and the team were developing an understanding with each other.
“I think we’re on the right path. We’ve still got a lot to learn about ourselves and also about our teammates but we are on the right path,” he said.
“Personally, I’m trying to apply what the coach says. I’m learning a lot, lots of new stuff, and I think it’s all going down to our individual sacrifices,” he added.
Rated as one of the most exciting talents to enter the league in years, Wembanyama said he has been impressed with how quickly his team-mates have adjusted to his range of skills, well beyond the norm for such a tall player.
“For most of my short career so far, my teammates have had to learn to play with me because sometimes I know they are surprised to see me do some stuff,” he said.
“But the surprise coming here is I play in the best league in the world now, and the guys just learn quicker. I feel like we’ve already got a connection, all of us, and I’m really thankful for that,” he said.
San Antonio’s opening match of the regular season is at home on October 25 against Dallas.
As for the Heat, Jamal Cain was their most impressive player on the court with a double-double thanks to his 24-point haul to go with 10 rebounds.
