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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Frost

Victor Wembanyama pulls off remarkable stunt while confirming jersey number

Victor Wembanyama was on the court in a San Antonio Spurs jersey for the first time on Saturday and the French sensation gave a glimpse of what he will bring to the NBA.

The number-one overall pick at Thursday's NBA Draft in Brooklyn jetted down to his new home city for a series of media duties, first meeting season-ticket holders at the Arneson River Theatre before heading to the AT&T Center to suit up in his uniform for the first time for a media workout.

Donning the Spurs' white jersey with black trim, the 19-year-old emerged from the tunnel wearing the number one, indicating he will wear that number in his rookie season.

Joined by a trainer for the solo shootaround, Wembanyama had some miscues with his jump shot, but it was his ability around the rim that was so eye-catching in front of media crews from across the world.

Standing at 7ft 5in tall when wearing his basketball shoes, Wembanyama inevitably will be a big threat in the paint when he takes to the floor in the NBA, and this was a sign of things to come.

Of course, he put on a show with a few dunks, but the most striking moments came when he showed his ability to lay the ball in while barely leaving the floor, reaffirming why he was one of the most coveted draft prospects in a generation.

It has been a whirlwind weekend for Wembanyama, who was welcomed to San Antonio with a meal with Spurs legends David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Sean Elliott.

Victor Wembanyama barely had to leave the floor to lay the ball in during his media workout. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

"In probably a couple of hours, I learned more about the NBA than in my whole life before," Wembanyama said.

"It's so comforting to see the people who are so important to the city of San Antonio and to the franchise are such kind people and generous.

"They genuinely wanted to share with me their experience. I feel like they've already started to take great care of me."

Although the NBA season does not start until October, Wembanyama could make his competitive bow for the Spurs in the Summer League, which gets underway next month.

The Spurs have entered into the California Classic Summer League, which will be held on July 3 and July 5 in Sacramento, with San Antonio slated to play the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Whether Wembanyama features in Sacramento remains to be seen, but if he does not play then his debut could come in the Las Vegas Summer League, with the Spurs slated to play games against the Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons by mid-July.

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