Author: Monojit Mandal
During his brief appearances in the Summer League, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs recognized the opposing dynamics between NBA and European basketball. The 7’3″ forward emphasized the faster pace and less resistance of the NBA game, highlighting his affinity with the American style of play.
Wembanyama commented to reporters: “Firstly, the court is more open [aqui]”. It’s fast, but it’s not as physical. I’m often fouled, but not as often as I should be. There is nothing comparable. The players are simply flying here. Out there, it’s more about pressure on the ground and great exits from the field. Great athletes, the best in the world, compete here. Much more talent. But that attracts me more“.
Wembanyama played two matches in the Summer League in Las Vegas. Although his debut yielded only nine points, he quickly bounced back with a 27-point performance, demonstrating the qualities that have made him the most anticipated basketball prospect since LeBron James.
Although Wembanyama has had some difficulty adapting to the physicality of the NBA game, his experience playing against seasoned professionals in Europe could help him transfer to the NBA’s faster, more open style of play. This versatility was demonstrated when the 6’2″ player showed great ball handling skills, similar to those of a playmaker.
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The NBA game is generally faster than its European version, relying less on structured offense and emphasizing agility. Wembanyama’s performance in Europe against grown men bodes well for his quick conversion to the NBA style, similar to Luka Doncic’s smooth adjustment.
The San Antonio Spurs hope that Wembanyama can follow in his footsteps. Despite his enormous potential, with an impressive height of 2.26m, the young athlete continues to develop his talents and is likely to improve over time. Wembanyama’s flexibility allows him to excel in scoring, rebounding and defense, and his superior court vision and basketball IQ make him a great asset.