By Le Figaro with AFP
Posted 22 minutes ago
Victor Wembanyama TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
The Frenchman impressed again in preseason during Spurs’ success over Miami (120-104) last night.
Number 1 in the 2023 draft Victor Wembanyama shone again with the San Antonio Spurs for his second preseason match, won against the Miami Heat (120-104) Friday at home. The 19-year-old Frenchman compiled 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in just under 23 minutes on the floor.
Skillful at mid-distance (9 out of 10), “Wemby» stood out with several improbable actions, which made the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio roar. During the second quarter, he completed a counterattack with a furious dunk after a “eurostep» (change of direction on a double step) before taking off for an alley-oop (dunk after receiving the ball in the air) despite the poorly timed pass from his teammate Tre Jones. “With me the problem with alley-oops rarely comes from a ball thrown too high“, he joked after the match.
During the third quarter, he made the opposing defense dizzy with a mid-range shot after a series of quick dribbles, a unique skill for a player of his size (2.24 m according to the NBA). He then crushed an insane dunk with his left hand, seemingly far from the basket, over Heat interior Thomas Bryant (2.08 m). “This evening I immediately saw where I could improve, it’s promising“, he estimated. “I am comfortable when I change position on the field from one match to another but also during matches, it is the key to my progress, commented the player, capable of playing in several positions. I continue to learn on defense. I think we are on the right path.»
His team’s top scorer, he did not return to the floor for the fourth period. San Antonio will host the Houston Rockets twice on Monday then Wednesday for its next two preparation matches. The NBA season begins on October 24 with a first game for the Spurs on the 25th at home against Dallas.
