13 May 2023 , 12:46
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NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama has left defenders helpless with his unstoppable moves and he was at it again on Friday night as a decision on his future looms large
The 19-year-old is currently playing for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A, France’s top level basketball league, ahead of Tuesday's NBA Draft lottery which will likely determine where the teenager will be playing his basketball later this year.
Standing at 7-foot-4 inches tall, the power forward has been leaving opponents powerless once he nears the rim with his 8-foot wingspan and clips have surfaced on social media of guards far smaller than him left watching on as the prodigiously talented Frenchman catches the ball off of a long range pass, before putting it through the hoop with ease.
In a separate clip, while playing against Nanterre 92, the teenager was guarded by Justin Bibbins, a former first-team All-Pac-12 selection at Utah. However, he is only 5’8 and was left with no option but to foul the taller Wembanyama with very little chance of stopping him otherwise.
After losing the game, Bibbins took to Twitter and joked: “No way i was guarding this post up.”
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Despite his freakish height, Wembanyama showcased his supreme athleticism and full skill set in front of 200 NBA scouts and executives during a two-game exhibition showcase last October. He can create his own shot off the dribble, successfully run a fast break and shoot step-back threes, qualities associated with smaller guards.
He is averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 31 games this season, and has been dubbed by LeBron James as "a generational talent".
With the NBA combine and draft lottery will take place, but it has been reported that Wembanyama will not be present as he concentrates on the domestic season in France with his Metropolitans 92 team still in action.
Victor Wembanyama is regarded as a generational talent and is expected to be the No.1 2023 NBA draft pick (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)Wembanyama is widely expected to be draft first when the draft takes place in June but next Tuesday night - ahead of the NBA Conference finals getting underway - the draft lottery will confirm the order for later this year and the team that pick first would surprise the world if they opted for anyone other than the Frenchman, despite the obvious talents of Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.
Last month he submitted the paperwork making him eligible for the draft and he is relishing the chance to play on basketball’s biggest stage. "I hope it's big news. Declaring for the draft, it's something crazy I'm not realising yet," he told ESPN. "I realised pretty young I wanted to play in the NBA but it becomes a reality more every day. I'm so lucky to have this dream within the reach of my hand."
The teams most likely to acquire his services are the Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs. The three franchises have struggled in recent years and fans are clamouring to see the youngster showcase his talents on a promising team.
But the man himself has not concerned himself with who he will play for, but just wants to play in the NBA. "I am not worried; there is no bad organisation," he added. "I never tell myself: 'I don't like to go there.' There's no wrong destination."