Jerry West Heaps Massive Praise On Victor Wembanyama: “He Reminds Me Of A Bigger Bill Russell”
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama was scooped up as the first overall pick in the recent 2023 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. With his unique mix of size and skills, Wembanyama has been regarded as the most promising prospect since LeBron James and appears set to become the next NBA all-time great.
In his first NBA Summer League game, Wembanyama did not quite live up to the hype, as he struggled to the tune of nine points on 2-of-13 shooting, eight rebounds and three assists. However, the 19-year-old French sensation still managed to turn heads with his solid defense, marked by an impressive five blocks.
Wembanyama faced both highs and lows in his first outing, but his potential in the NBA is fascinating to observe. Notably, NBA legend Jerry West has likened the 7-foot-4 Spurs rookie to 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell immediately following his Summer League debut.
“You rarely see someone that combines his brain and his ability. Just watching him play, it’s an easy game for him to play. Very easy. Never looked like he’s really working, and if you watched the really great players, they don’t look like they’re working hard. They’re always in the right place, the right time,” West said of the Spurs youngster.
“I think when he comes in to the league, I think he’ll be more of a defender. If you watch him defensively, he ruins games. He reminds me a little bit of a bigger Bill Russell, with a big reach, coming from everywhere–blindsides. Any offensive player is gonna have to be really cautious about where he is because he’s gonna mess up some offenses, that’s for sure.”
“He reminds me of a bigger Bill Russell.”
Jerry West has high praise for Victor Wembanyama at NBA Summer League@termineradio | @thejaxshow | @vicw_32 pic.twitter.com/AZKfgqRDTw
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 8, 2023
