The San Antonio Spurs won the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in Tuesday’s lottery.
After a disappointing season, this is a big win for coach Gregg Popovich’s team.
The first pick in next month’s draft is an award many teams have been looking for to land the best prospect in a generation: Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center from France, is the most heralded player to enter the draft since LeBron James.
The last time the Spurs drafted No. 1, they selected Tim Duncan in 1997. They won five NBA championships with teams made up of international talent, including Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili.
The Spurs made the playoffs every year of Duncan’s career from 1997 to 2016 and have struggled ever since. After hearing the news of the first pick, Spurs fans were heard honking from their cars in downtown San Antonio and many took to Twitter to celebrate.
FIVE YEARS IN THE ABYSS
AND NOW WE ARE BACK
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
—Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 17, 2023
In an interview with ESPN on Tuesday night, Wembanyama said Spurs fans should know he’s a team player. Spurs teams led by Popovich — the winningest coach in NBA history — are known for a brand of team basketball that hasn’t been seen since Duncan’s retirement.
“I’m ready to win a ring ASAP so be ready,” Wembanyama said in a message to Spurs fans.
Jonathan Rebboah / Jonathan Rebboah / Panoramic via Reuters Connect
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When asked to find out he will be following in the footsteps of Spurs greats Tim Duncan and David Robinson as well as fellow Frenchmen Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, Wembanyama said: “It’s a really special moment that I will remember. for the rest of my life.”
The NBA Draft will take place on June 22 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.