San Antonio Spurs incoming rookie Victor Wembanyama is joining the likes of fellow top picks Zion Williamson and Anthony Edwards to wear the jersey number that was also their draft position.
"Wemby" is becoming a part of a group that features current stars like Devin Booker, James Harden and LaMelo Ball, as well as Hall of Famers Allen Iverson, Chris Bosh, Maurice Cheeks, Oscar Robertson and Tracy McGrady who sported No. 1 for all or part of their respective careers.
The Pro A MVP recently revealed to Michelle Beadle how he decided on his uniform number for his first season in the NBA.
Michelle Beadle: "Take us through choosing [your jersey number]."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 5, 2023
Wembanyama: "It's a mentality... There's no other option but to be number 1. I can't accept to be behind someone in some way."
Victor wants nothing but to be the best
(via @spurs)pic.twitter.com/X7ZUVzvxEe
Since he was selected first overall by the Spurs in June, Wembanyama has displayed his confidence during interviews on numerous occasions, making it obvious that he strives to be the best. In that sense, it's no surprise that the Frenchman chose to be the first player in San Antonio to wear No. 1 since Lonnie Walker IV during the 2021-22 campaign.
According to Basketball Reference, there have been 19 players in Spurs history to don the No. 1 jersey. Nobody has worn the number for more than three years with the franchise though, as Kyle Anderson (2015-18) and Walker IV (2019-22) had the honor before their departures for the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers respectively.
If Wembanyama comes as advertised, fans in San Antonio should expect to see the phenom hanging onto No. 1 for years to come.
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