Victor Wembanyama, the young NBA star, has undergone a significant transformation during the offseason, raising concerns among many in the basketball world about his future potential. On August 10, at Bercy Arena, in the outskirts of Paris, the 20-year-old Frenchman led his national team to nearly defeat the USA All-Star team in the Olympics. Although they couldn’t stop Steph Curry and his team from winning their fifth consecutive gold medal, Wembanyama left a lasting impression with his rapid physical and offensive growth, impressing experts immensely.
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Wembanyama’s Journey: From Rookie to Promising Star
Shortly after the 2023-24 season of the San Antonio Spurs ended, Wembanyama immediately began training at the team’s Victory Capital Performance Center, a $500 million facility. He focused on building the physical strength he lacked during his rookie season. After two months of intense training, Wembanyama made significant strides in his physique and body control, which became evident during his impressive performances in the Olympics.
“I worked hard during those two months, and it was enough to take me a step further,” Wembanyama shared about his offseason training.
Upon returning to San Antonio after the Olympics, Wembanyama spent another four to five weeks training with the team. He believes these sessions prepared him well for the new season and promises to deliver impressive results. Teammate Devin Vassell described Wembanyama’s development as “scary” for the competition, believing he will only become more dangerous as time progresses.
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Spurs’ Key Additions and the Crucial Role of Chris Paul
The Spurs management made strategic moves to ensure Wembanyama could maximize his potential by acquiring veteran point guard Chris Paul and forward Harrison Barnes. Chris Paul, a Hall of Fame inductee, is one of the most intelligent players in NBA history, with the ability to orchestrate the offense and improve the team’s performance during clutch moments.
The Spurs struggled last season with 41 close games decided within five points or less in the final minutes, winning only 13 of them. Paul’s control will be vital in reducing mistakes during crucial moments, alleviating pressure on Wembanyama, and helping the team improve their late-game execution.
Coach Gregg Popovich couldn’t hide his admiration for Paul, stating, “I feel like he’s very wise and experienced. Sometimes I’m just amazed by listening to him give advice to the players.”
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Wembanyama’s Development and Notable Changes
Wembanyama had an impressive rookie season, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He became the second rookie since Manute Bol in 1985-86 to lead the league in blocked shots. However, these numbers are just the beginning of Wembanyama’s developmental journey.
During the offseason, Wembanyama added 25 pounds of muscle, improving his ability to play through contact while maintaining shooting accuracy. This newfound strength made him more resilient, preventing opponents from easily pushing him out of position. Teammate Zach Collins remarked, “He shoots so well, from everywhere. Nobody can block his jump shot. Last year, if he got pushed, it would be a tough fadeaway. Now, he looks solid.”
Wembanyama also worked with Jamal Crawford, one of the most prolific scorers in recent NBA history, to improve his ball-handling and shot creation. Their training sessions focused on reading situations and creating innovative ways for Wembanyama to score off the dribble.
Expectations for Wembanyama’s Second Year in the NBA
Wembanyama is ready to take another step forward in his second year in the NBA. Tre Jones, the Spurs’ fourth-year guard, said, “I think there will be nights where he does things we’ve never seen before. And that’s just how it’s going to be for years to come.”
With thorough preparation and significant offseason improvements, Wembanyama is poised to face new challenges and become one of the brightest stars in the NBA.
