Victor Wembanyama posts heartfelt message on Gregg Popovich retirement

On Friday, Gregg Popovich officially stepped down as the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach after serving 29 years in the role. Shortly after the announcement, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama released a heartfelt message online dedicated to Popovich.

“29 years. Coach, thank you for your wisdom, for your leadership, for the culture you created… But most importantly for being a great and inspiring person. It was an honor to be a part of those 29 years,” Wembanyama wrote on X. “Wishing you the best on your new chapter.”

Popovich only coached the Spurs’ first five games this season before suffering a stroke on Nov. 2. He hasn’t spoken publicly since.

Popovich won’t be the Spurs’ head coach next season but he’ll still be an intergral part of the organization. The 76-year-old icon will be the Spurs’ president of basketball operations moving forward. Mitch Johnson, who served as the team’s interim head coach this season, will be the team’s official head coach next season.

In his 29 seasons at the helm of the Spurs, Popovich won five NBA titles and amassed a 1,422-869 record. That record includes the games coached by Mitch Johnson this season.

Gregg Popovich is the winningest NBA coach of all time and was the longest-tenured NBA coach before his resignation. For his success over the years, Popovich reeled in three NBA Coach of the Year awards. He is considered by many NBA fans to be one of the greatest coaches ever.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich wrote in a statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”

One of the wonderful players that Popovich is referring to is Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and is considered a future face of the NBA. He won the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award in his lone season under Popovich’s guidance.

Wembanyama continued to find success this season, even without Popovich on the sidelines. He averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to earn his first All-Star Game selection. Now, Wembanyama will aim to make Popovich proud as he continues his career.