Victor Wembanyama. Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

JJ Redick has hilarious response to Victor Wembanyama comments

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 6/21/23

On June 22, Victor Wembanyama will enter the NBA. For the past few years, Wembanyama has been the most discussed basketball prospect since LeBron James. At 7'2'', with solid ball-handling skills and a scalable shooting form, Wembanyama is tough to ignore.

On a June 21 episode of The Old Man and the Three podcast, JJ Redick sat down with Wembanyama for an exclusive interview. During the episode, Wembanyama discusses how he approaches the game and how he doesn't let anything throw him off course.

"When I need energy. When I need motivation. When I need fire on the court. I always remember I'm free in that universe," Wembanyama said. "I'm free on the court. I know what I wanna do, and nothing is gonna stop me from doing it."

An impressed Reddick responded by joking that Wembanyama had reached enlightenment.

Wembanyama is reportedly not taking part in this year's Summer League. As such, fans will need to wait until mid-October before they see the San Antonio Spurs' new talisman in action. However, once the new NBA season is underway, we will begin to see whether Wembanyama can remain poised on the court. It's easy staying calm when you're the best player in your league. It's a whole different ball game when you're fighting and clawing for every possession.

For all of the fanfare that will surround Wembanyama, he is still a rookie. At 7'2'' his frame is wiry and thin. NBA athletes will look to physically dominate him in the post, while wings will try to jump through Wembanyama's chest. Wembanyama will have to navigate the physicality, pressure and fatigue of the NBA.

Once Wembanyama has acclimated himself to the league, it will be easier to gauge his competitive temperament. There should be no doubt that Wembanyama has all the potential to be a true superstar in the NBA, but having the potential and reaching it are two very different things.

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