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The summer league debut of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was arguably the most anticipated debut in the history of the Vegas Summer League, with the Thomas & Mack Center sold out with a capacity of just under 19,000. The 2023 NBA Draft first overall selection has been considered by basically anyone with a brain to be a can’t miss prospect.
But, things didn’t go to plan in his Summer League debut on Friday night against number two overall pick Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets, at least on the offensive end. Victor Wembanyama was just 2-13 for 9 points 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 3 assists and didn’t have the shooting touch at all. He was a perfect 4-4 from the foul-line, however.
It was just a bad shooting night in general for the 7-foot-4 Frenchman. Take a look.
But, on the defensive end, he was an absolute menace. He blocked five shots, affected maybe a dozen more, and looked like a guy who could be All-NBA Defense this year. Take a look at this sequence, where he blocks a shot and takes it the other way to make a great pass.
Block the shot.
Push it in transition.
Drop the dime.Victor Wembanyama making an impact right away during his #NBA2KSummerLeague debut on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/CCa604r02w
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2023
But, Twitter was not being kind to Victor Wembanyama. Take a look.
It was just one Summer League game, but I must admit, I wasn’t blown away by what I saw from Victor Wembanyama. He was well taught. He plays the right way. Astonishing skill for his astonishing height. But I didn’t see will-imposing or, obviously, physically dominant.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 8, 2023
Wembanyama is a bust
— 🆂🆆🅾🅾🆂🅷 (@OwnedBySW00SH) July 8, 2023
So are we ready to talk about Wembanyama as a bust? Or is it too soon
— 13 Yung James aka Righteous Jim Stones (@jims__juice) July 8, 2023
My Wembanyama bust takes are lookin nice
— Eric (@PointGods) July 8, 2023
I think these people are morons, to be honest. Wembanyama is going to be a star, His floor is the best defensive player in the league. Though, this did happen to him tonight.
Hornets’ Kai Jones dunks on Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama pic.twitter.com/Pe1X67Imr4
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2023
The Spurs won anyways, thanks in part to his defensive effort, 76-68. They’re back in qction on Sunday against third overall pick Scoot Henderson and the Portland Trailblazers.