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"They will do tanking for him like never before": Victor Wombanyama already excites the NBA
ESPN has already hailed him as "the greatest young talent in the world," and after an impressive new video in the United States is even more convinced: Victor Wombanyama is the next big thing in basketball.
Meet the 16-year-old who "blocks like Rudy Gober" and "hits like Kristaps Forzingis"
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Victor Wombanyama
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Sunday, October 18, 2020, 12:30 p.m.
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Victor Wombanyama in training with Rudy Gober (from Nanterre's Twitter)
With the end of the grueling season, NBA teams are moving to focus on the draft that will take place on November 18th.
But in parallel with preparations for the upcoming draft, the United States is already busy with future prospects.
Or, to be more precise, especially in one exciting future prospect: 16-year-old Victor Wombanyama.
Despite his young age, the French boy already boasts monstrous physical figures: he rises to a height of 2.18 meters, his armrest reaches 2.31 meters, and he moves on the pitch almost like a guard.
Wombanyama's name is no stranger to scouts in the United States: he burst into consciousness at the European Cadet Championships last year, demonstrating impressive abilities despite being a year younger than most opposing players.
He was selected in the top five of the tournament and finished with an average of 9 points, 9.6 rebounds and no less than 5.3 blocks, while in the semifinals against Croatia he provides his record display with 21 points, 21 rebounds and 8 blocks.
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ESPN already crowned him last February as "the greatest young talent in the world", and predicted that he would be selected first in every draft he could access, whether it be in the 2022 draft which is supposed to be flooded with talent, or in another draft when he is more mature.
"He's perhaps the greatest talent in the world right now. He's huge, and can do anything from anything on the court," wrote ESPN draft expert Mike Schmitz.
"He blocks like Rudy grows and hits like Kristaps Forzingis. He's able to lead a ball and deliver. I've never seen a talent like him."
Wombanyama, who still plays most of the time for Nanterre's Under-21 team but is a full member of the senior squad, has made history in European basketball.
Last year, when he was only 15 and 9 months old, he became the first 2004 native to play in the EuroCup and the second youngest player to participate in the factory.
He has also already made his debut in the French league, but in both settings he is still waiting for his first points.
One way or another, in recent days the general public has also become acquainted with his talent.
This week Wombanyama conducted personal training with an NBA star in the form of Rudy Gober and another NBA player, Vincent Poirier from Boston.
In videos uploaded by Nanterre from the joint training, Wombanyama is seen as coping well with both chins.
One video in which he was seen scoring two consecutive baskets on Gover, including a smooth half-distance shot, gained momentum in the feed of the American NBA journalist.
Keith Smith from Yahoo noted that "I talked to some teams in the league about Wombanyama and some of them said that in the upcoming draft he could be the first choice as well. One NBA man told me, 'The tanking they will do for him will be unlike anything we've seen before'. A veteran Scout in the league told me, 'I'm watching him play, and it's like watching Arvidas Savonis again.
Wombanyama's training with Gover and Poirier
Last month, Wombanyama gave his first interview to the French media, telling La Parisien about his ambitions to reach the best league in the world.
"My goal is to get to the NBA. I want to be the best I can be, that's my mentality. I do not feel I have to prove anything, but I also do not want to disappoint myself," he said.
On his immediate range goals he said: "I want to be as dominant as possible in Nanterre's youth. I have to move forward step by step. I re-examine my goals every few games. This season will be my leap towards starting my professional career."
Despite his young age, question marks are already rising regarding the low weight of the promising Frenchman.
“Right now I weigh 95kg, and my goal is to gradually increase muscle mass.
We try to use models of actors I like like Rudy Gober and Kristaps Forzingis, to reach the ideal weight and dimensions for me.
I like to watch a lot of NBA players.
Kevin Durant and Yannis Antocompo are two of my favorite stars because they both prove that their height does not stop them from developing real basketball abilities.
Their game does not match the stereotypes of the high ones. "
Already now he is rising from Rudy Gover.
Wombaniyama, third from the right (Photo: from Nanter's official website)
Until he becomes a full-fledged senior player and is likely to be selected very high in the draft, Wombanyama is trying to relieve pressure.
"People who have never watched a game have already developed all kinds of opinions about me and my character. They talk about me without knowing me. I am aware of that, and understand from now on that basketball for me is no longer just a game, but a big challenge. I enjoy playing, but also understand What's at stake? "
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