N.B.A
NBA: The Wembanyama phenomenon says it all about his incredible evolution
Posted on November 11, 2022 at 12:35 pm
At 18, Victor Wembanyama has yet to join the NBA, but his name is already on everyone’s lips across the Atlantic Ocean. Touted as the future No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft, he still has his head on his shoulders and can count on his parents for that. She also finds her motivation with her sister, also a professional basketball player. Often compared to Giannis Antetokounmpo, he admits that the Greek is one of the players who inspires him, just like Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant.
Present with thefrench teamVictor Wembanyama is about to experience his first selection, which could take place this Friday evening against the Lithuaniaas part of the qualifications for the World Cup 2023. At 18, the new basketball phenom tried soccer and judo, before fully devoting himself to his dreams of N.B.A. ” For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to play in the NBA. It was in my years -12 years, – 13 years in Nanterre (where it took shape from 2014 to 2021) that I realized that this is what I want to achieve and that I am willing to work. My coach Karim Boubekri inspired me, with work focused on individual and technical development. I discovered what it’s like to work on myself and work hard “, he confided in an interview The team.
NBA: Victor Wembanyama’s great goals https://t.co/XuCnr5hFGr pic.twitter.com/uTK9KVCgmG
— le10sport (@le10sport) November 11, 2022
Wembanyama, a complete player
Victor Wembanyama grew up in an athletic family. He also confided in the importance of his parents in his development: “ Many bring their personal dream to their children. Mine may have been sporty, I was never pressured. They protect me without being invasive. I’m glad to have fallen, unlike many players who do not have this framework, into a balanced family, not that it can penalize your development. If I had wanted to be a lawyer, they would have encouraged me and I would not have been disappointed if I told them tomorrow that I was quitting basketball. They are cautious, respectful and ambitious. My mother (Élodie de Fautereau) was a coach, I was in her teams when I was young, but she did not train me to develop, she remained in her role as a mother. My father (Félix) did the triple jump (record at 15.56 m), the long jump (record at 7.41 m) and ran the hundred meters in eleven seconds. I did the track with him, he taught me how to run, he corrected the position of my feet, my posture. I was eleven years old. This is an essential parameter for a template like mine. Being gifted with motor skills and fluency is good, but running technique cannot be invented. It’s a real, underrated job that I’m still far from mastering. »
“I do it with Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo”
His younger brother Oscar and his older sister vigilance they also play basketball. When his eldest was crowned champion ofeurope U16 in 2017, it was ” a great moment, the first headliner in our family “. An event he used to fuel his ambitions: ” I felt proud and a little challenged. I have to bring home trophies too (smile). “Prove your determination, Victor Wembanyama Don’t watch games for entertainment. “ I look to learn. I do it with Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo (to whom he has often been compared, and from whom he inherited one of his nicknames, “French Freak”, referring to the “Greek Freak”), his technique, his movements, the their attitude I try to steal some shit from them, apply it to the matches. »
“I often wonder what Kobe would have done”
If you admit it for him Michael Jordan” whose imprint is incomparable is the player who most embodies basketball, Victor Wembanyama it is a ” Absolute fan of Kobe Bryant, who I think about almost every day since his death (January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash). His disappearance surprised me. I know his stats, his records, but above all I admire his attitude, work ethic, philosophy in the approach to the game… It is by following his example that I try to push my limits every day. When I’m in pain, when I’m in doubt, I often wonder what Kobe would have done. And I know I would have done more, so I’m back. »