Spurs' Wembanyama impressive in team's preseason opener

San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama (1) warms up before a game against the Guangzhou Loong Lions at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama impressive in team's preseason opener

By Sean Keane | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 10:12 PM ET

Victor Wembanyama spent 10 days in China training at a Shaolin temple. He spent his preseason opener dominating a Chinese Basketball Association team.

The San Antonio Spurs hosted the Guangzhou Loong-Lions on Monday night, part of the Chinese team's three-game tour during the NBA preseason. The Lions finished 15th in last season's standings, but this version of the team features former NBA players Victor Oladipo, Frank Kaminsky and Justin Holiday.

While not nearly the caliber of an NBA opponent, the Loong-Lions provided a measuring stick, albeit a short one, for Wemby and the Spurs outside of a team scrimmage.

Wembanyama was as imposing as the Great Wall

They weren't a match for Wembanyama early. The young center made all three of his first-half shots, scoring nine points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking three shots.

Right where he left off ‍ pic.twitter.com/RClOWprcgk
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 7, 2025

The most encouraging part for the Spurs may have been Wemby's seven assists, after he averaged only 3.7 assists last season. That could become more important as Wembanyama is surrounded by more talent than in the first two years of his career.

With All-Star De'Aaron Fox on board, along with No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and last year's Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, Wembanyama finally has teammates who can put the ball in the basket. Including fellow seven-footer Luke Kornet.

one seven-footer to another pic.twitter.com/pP2aVRfy7h
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 7, 2025

Perhaps it was the martial arts discipline Wembanyama learned from the Shaolin monks that allowed him to calmly see offensive opportunities unfolding in front of him. Perhaps an NBA team will be more qualified than the Loong-Lions in sussing out the Spurs' give-and-go plays.

But for the Spurs, the first-half performance from their franchise player (he sat out after halftime) is all they could have hoped for. If this continues, Wembanyama looks like he'll be an All-Star again — and sell a lot of shoes in China.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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