After becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22, Victor Wembanyama is ready to join the San Antonio Spurs, where he’s set to instantly become the face of the franchise. But until he can get on the floor, not even fans know what to expect from the prospect many are suggesting has the highest potential since LeBron James.
Naturally, fans are eager to see the 7-foot-5 sensation take to the basketball court against pro competition. Some were hoping that opportunity would come this upcoming weekend during the California Classic Summer League.
But that won’t be the case. Instead, according to Marc J. Spears, Wembanyama will wait to join his Spurs teammates until they head to Las Vegas on July 7 against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Spurs will play two games in Sacramento before heading to Vegas, where the talented Frenchman is expected to join them in the starting lineup, likely in front of a sold-out crowd.
Plans always pointed to Wembanyama participating in Summer League play, but even coach Gregg Popovich admitted he didn’t know when following the draft event.
With Wembanyama just wrapping up his season in the French League on June 16, now the 19-year-old will get a brief break before getting back to competing on a basketball court against a new brand of competition in the Summer League.
While he may not be joining his team for the California Classic, Wembanyama will still practice with the Spurs before they depart for the event later this weekend. For fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the next potential face of the NBA, it looks like they’ll want to target July 7 in Las Vegas instead.