While basketball fans were eagerly anticipating the NBA draft lottery, Victor Wembanyama was shining in his regular-season finale in France’s top pro league.
The 19 year-old phenom, who’s been called the best prospect in basketball history, came up clutch in the fourth quarter on Tuesday for Boulogne-Levallois. He scored 14 of his game-high 22 points down the stretch in the Metropolitan 92’s 93-85 win over Paris Basketball.
“He seemed elsewhere early on, probably at the lottery,” Metropolitans 92 coach Vincent Collet told the Associated Press“. But he responded so well. … He’s 19, and his life is going to totally change. Can you understand that? Tonight is a massive moment in his career. It’s totally understandable that things were going on in his head.”
Victor Wembanyama just secured the scoring title in his teams win today:
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) May 16, 2023
22 PTS (9/11 2PT) | 9 REB | 2 AST | 2 BLK
He finished the season averaging 21.6 PPG ⭐️
pic.twitter.com/C2Z99noCRS
Paris Basketball coach Will Weaver, who coached against Wembanyama on Tuesday, is among those who believe greatness awaits the French prodigy in the NBA.
“I believe he’s going to be a Hall of Famer,” Weaver told the AP. “I have coached Kevin Durant, Jarrett Allen. I’ve been around a lot of good, big men that have a lot of unique skills. I just see his professionalism and competitiveness.”
Among those in attendance for Wembanyama’s game on Tuesday was Paris Saint-Germain soccer star Kylian Mbappé.
Kylian Mbappé's in the house to check Victor Wembanyama's last game of the regular season 🇫🇷
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 16, 2023
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/IHvT3X8q3c
The 7-foot-5 front-line star is the overwhelming favorite to be chosen No. 1 overall in June’s NBA draft.
