French superstar Victor Wembanyama is tipped to become the no.1 draft pick in 2023, and we could be seeing a unique pre-game ritual in the NBA very soon.
The 18-year-old headbutts the rim of the basketball hoop before every game, and although this would be a tall order for most of us, the youngster is already standing at seven feet four inches. Wembanyama is destined to become an absolute star in the NBA, and he already towers over most of the league in height.
The Frenchman has overwhelmed his competition at youth level due to his immense combination of height, skill and potential. And he's even got a personality to him, as his bizarre ritual suggests.
The power forward was only born in 2004, but has been playing at a professional level since the age of 16 in France. Wembanyama has already won the Pro A in France with Metropolitans 92, and has also been voted Best Young Player on two occasions..
the Frenchman signed a two-year deal with his current side in June 2022, but has been tipped as a no.1 prospect for the next NBA draft in nine months time. Wembanyama is one of the most hyped up talents in a long time, but even at his tender age, he is thinking smartly about his future.
Although he would love to be the no.1 draft pick, Wembanyama wants to make sure he joins the right franchise instead of just settling for first. "The most interesting thing is always to find an organization that will take care of the project and the player," Wembanyama said during a French Basketball League media session.
"So it’s better to be second, third, or 20th in the draft if you have a better career afterward. I don’t know if it’s pride, I have a part [of me] that says that there should be no one in front of me."
The one player that could test him for no.1 is Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite, who is close behind in second position according to many predictions. But Wembanyama isn't thinking about that, he's just concentrating on staying fit.
The one threat to Wembanyama's career is injury, and he's already been nursing some - which kept him out of competing in EuroBasket. "That doesn’t worry me," Wembanyama said about his injury history.
"I didn’t have any serious injuries, which is reassuring. We know that in the NBA the [medical] support is the best, light years from here. So there is no reason to worry."
Wembanyama will come face-to-face with his draft rival Henderson in a two-game exhibition series in early October, with every scout expected to be watching. Although listed as a friendly, there's a lot on the line.
