French phenom inspired by Golden State Warriors-style basketball
He’s the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to this year’s NBA draft and beyond. Victor Wembanyama is unlike anything anyone has ever seen, and although the Golden State Warriors are almost certain to not get their hands on the French phenom, they’ve already had some impact on the 19-year-old’s career.
With reports emerging that he’s now reached a towering 7’5″, Wembanyama has shocked fans with his combination of height and length, but even more so with the guard-like skills and shooting that accompanies his athletic traits.
The Golden State Warriors won three NBA championships in the 2010s, and it appears their style has already inspired the next generation.
In an in-depth interview with the French phenom, Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo outlined Wembanyama’s vision of how he wants to play in the NBA.
"“Wembanyama cites the Warriors of the 2010s as a model for the type of basketball that inspires him: They won, they enjoyed themselves and they did it in style”, Woo wrote."
Additionally, long time NBA veteran and Wembanyama’s countryman, Boris Diaw, stated “he (Wembanyama) wants to play a certain way.” There’s no harm in indulging Warriors-style basketball if team success is ultimately what he craves.
The facts are though that Wembanyama will be a style within himself at the NBA level. Whoever ends up getting lucky with the number one pick will be a fascinating watch, to see how their game style develops once Wembanyama enters the fold. It will also be interesting to see how that team alters their roster, and the style of players around him, as the years progress.
dark. Next. Have the Golden State Warriors missed a trick with their talented rookie?
The Warriors may be having a poor season to date, but there still nowhere near the hunt for Wembanyama. The one upside to missing the playoffs would be having a shot at the number one pick in the lottery, but even then those odds would likely sit at less than 3%.