NBA Rookies: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren to Face Off for First Time Since 2021

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Thunder center Chet Holmgren are set to face off Monday for the first time in over 800 days.

For the first time in over 800 days, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren will face off on the hardcourt.

It’s a highly anticipated matchup across the basketball world, as 2023’s No. 1 pick in Wembanyama will get his first official look at real NBA action, and Holmgren will be making his long-awaited return from injury while doing the same.

At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama has been lauded as one of the top NBA Draft picks of all time, and for good reason. He's a generational prospect, using his immense length both offensively and defensively. In the French Pro A league, he averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and a league-best 3.0 blocks per game.

He saw a polarizing Summer League, coming out a little flat in his first contest before showing what he could do in the second. Regardless, Wembanyama is undoubtedly set to be the sun that the San Antonio Spurs orbit for years to come. 

Holmgren, selected second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, suffered a Lisfranc foot injury that sidelined him for his initial NBA season. Now, after a long recovery process, the 7-footer is set to make his official preseason with Oklahoma City.

He's of a similar mold to Wembanyama, albeit slightly less fluid of a scorer, but with better natural defense instincts overall. Even more, he's set to galvanize the Thunder roster with his size, shot-blocking skills and floor-stretching potential.

Back in 2021, the two matched up at the FIBA U19’s in Latvia, both showcasing their unique skillsets while matchup up against one another. Holmgren eventually came away with the win, helping USA to best France 83-81.

The Thunder and Spurs tip off at 7 p.m. tonight from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

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