Adjusting to life in the NBA as a young player is certainly easier said than done. Being out on their own for the first time is something that not everyone is ready to handle, which can lead to some poor performances on the court and being out of the league before their rookie contract expires.
But, there are some players on the opposite end of the spectrum who thrive when in a new situation. One of the players who seem to be doing that is San Antonio Spurs rookie phenom, Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama is the most hyped prospect since LeBron James in 2003 to enter the NBA. Touted as a franchise cornerstone good enough to turn any team around instantly, Wembanyama has lived up to the billing despite underwhelming team success.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Victor Wembanyama & San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs are only 8-34 on the season, recording the third-fewest wins in the league to this point. But, amongst all of the losing, Wembanyama has provided the franchise with a glimmer of hope as he hasn’t disappointed.
He has provided some jaw-dropping highlights, making players who are nearly 7 feet tall look small next to him in stature. In 36 games, all starts, the No. 1 pick is averaging 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.2 blocks in only 28.5 minutes per game. The points and rebounds both lead the Spurs, while the blocks are first in the NBA.
What has led to Wembanyama having such a successful transition into the NBA? It is the maturity that he carries despite being only 20 years old. As shared by Mike Monroe of The Athletic, Wembanyama has a strict routine he sticks to that helps keep his mind and body fresh.
“Victor’s a very intelligent person, period. He loves to read in his time off. You usually get young players doing the video game thing in their time off. So, he’s already a very intelligent and focused young man,” Monroe shared.
How much does Wembanyama enjoy reaching? According to Jordan Howenstine, the Spurs director of basketball operations, team staffers are told not to reach out to him after 9:30 p.m. when he is at home.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Victor Wembanyama & San Antonio Spurs Updates
“That’s when he reads for an hour,” Howenstine explained. “Then he goes to sleep.”
That kind of discipline isn’t something many people have let alone NBA superstars who are internationally known. The Spurs are in good hands with Wembanyama as the face of their franchise.
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