Victor Wembanyama may have struggled against the Phoenix Suns in the San Antonio Spurs’ loss on Saturday, but despite that, he has certainly earned the respect of Devin Booker.
Book has massive praises for Wemby following their battle, going as far as to saying that the no. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft doesn’t act like a rookie at all.
Devin Booker Praises San Antonio Spurs Rookie Victor Wembanyama
Speaking to reporters after leading the Suns to the 131-106 blowout of the Spurs, Booker shared his thoughts on Wembanyama and his assessment of the rookie after three meetings with them.
It’s worth noting that while the Suns won their most recent game, the Spurs actually won their first two and are still ahead in the season series. Wembanyama was huge in their second meeting last November, dropping 38 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Wemby struggled on Saturday against the Suns and finished with just 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and five turnovers in roughly 21 minutes of action. Despite the poor game, Booker’s admiration of Wemby didn’t lessen at all.
In fact, Booker was even more amazed by how the Frenchman is impacting the game, not only with his physical tools but also his mentality and overall approach to the game.
“Just a force. I think my favorite part about him is his mindset. Nowhere near soft. He’s a competitor to the to the highest. You can tell after games that losing bothers him, and it’s not something that he’s gotten used to. I’ve watched all his mannerisms and watch how he carries himself, and he seems like a seasoned vet,” Booker said of Wembanyama, per Paul Garcia of Project Spurs.
Devin Bookers’ Victor Wembanyama Take
Devin Booker certainly couldn’t have said it any better. Victor Wembanyama’s stint in the pros in France has really prepared him well for the NBA, and it’s showing with how he’s dealing with the grueling season.
Wembanyama has also proven that the preseason concerns about his built are for naught, as he’s dominating his matchups and is even one of the frontrunners for the Defensive Player of the Year award aside from the Rookie of the Year.
San Antonio may be struggling, but they have shown flashes of brilliance and massive potential with Wemby leading the way. Their two wins over the Suns earlier in the season are just prime example of that.
The Spurs are rebuilding and growing with Wembanyama, and as they continue to develop, they are only going to get scarier.
As Booker said, Wemby is already ahead of his peers from the 2024 class. And the thought of Wemby yet to reach his full potential makes it even more worrisome for the NBA.
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