NBA draft: San Antonio Spurs take 7ft 5in teenager Victor Wembanyama as first overall pick
- Rob McCarthy
- 23 June 2023
Victor Wembanyama is targeting winning an NBA championship ring after the San Antonio Spurs chose him as the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Frenchman Victor Wembanyama is eyeing NBA championship glory after the San Antonio Spurs made him the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft.
The 19-year-old Frenchman is regarded as one of the basketball's biggest prospects and one of the most coveted picks since the legendary LeBron James in 2003.
Wembanyama is listed at 7ft 5in and has an 8ft wingspan.
"My goal is to try and learn as much as possible because I want to win that ring," said Wembanyama.
The 2023 draft was held in Brooklyn with NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing the picks.
"This is accomplishing something that I have been dreaming of my whole life," Wembanyama told ESPN.
"Hearing that sentence from Adam Silver, I've dreamed of it so much that I have to cry, man."
French president Emmanuel Macron congratulated Wembanyama on becoming "the first Frenchman to be the first pick in the NBA draft".
In a post on social media, he added: "You're already making us dream, Victor Wembanyama. No doubt about it: you'll change the game!"
Wembanyama played for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in France during the past season and averaged an impressive 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and 2.5 assists in 44 games.
"We're thrilled that we were able to bring Victor on board," said San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
"He's obviously a heck of a talent, a very mature young man. But just like with every draft pick, whether it's the first pick or the 27th pick, or the 38th pick, we have a responsibility to each and every one to try to create an environment where they can reach the best success possible for them.
"We're going to get him on the court and we're going to see him play, and we'll go from there."
Brandon Miller, a 6ft 9in 20-year-old who starred at the University of Alabama, was the number two pick in the draft as he went to the Charlotte Hornets.
Scoot Henderson, who has played the last two seasons in the NBA's developmental 'G-league', was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers as the third overall pick.
The 20-year-old identical twins Amen and Ausar Thompson made up the top five picks.
Amen Thompson earned the bragging rights over his brother as went to the Houston Rockets in fourth spot before Ausar Thompson was selected by the Detroit Pistons.
