Victor Wembanyama only played two games in the NBA’s Summer League before the Spurs opted to shut him down, but the 2023 No. 1 pick already started to pick up on some notable differences between the American game and the style of European basketball.
Among the most significant variations: the physicality.
Speaking after his stellar second appearance in Las Vegas that saw him score 27 points and grab 12 rebounds, Wembanyama was asked to describe what he’d noticed in his brief time playing in NBA-style games. The rookie gave a detailed answer, notably pointing out that he didn’t think the game was as physical as it was in Europe.
“First of all, the court is more open [here]. It’s going fast, but it’s less physical,” Wembanyama told reporters. “I get fouled a lot, but not as much. Nothing to compare. Here, players are just flying. Out there, it’s more on the ground, pushing on the ground, big box-outs.”
Though his comments may have turned some heads, the French phenom made clear that different didn’t mean bad.
“Here, it’s great athletes, the best in the world. Way more talent. But I like this better, though,” he said.
"I like this better though." 😅
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2023
Victor Wembanyama discusses the difference between playing in France and in the #NBA2KSummerLeague. pic.twitter.com/n6CSjWbGyQ
Standing at 7'3", Wembanyama towers over his competition, but questions have been raised about whether or not his slender frame will be able to hold up through the rigors of the NBA season. In his first appearance in Las Vegas, the seemingly fatigued Frenchman was battered by the Hornets and finished the game with just nine points on 2-for-13 shooting.
Nevertheless, Wembanyama’s NBA career still has yet to begin, and if he’s as big of a fan of the American style as he claims to be, the rest of the league should be on notice when he takes the court for the first time in the regular season this fall.
