Dallas Basketball

Dirk Nowitzki on Projected No. 1 Pick Victor Wembanyama: 'Scary Talent'

Victor Wembanyama is all but guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft and NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki knows just how talented he is.

Michael Mulford

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After every NBA season, each team gears up for the NBA draft as they prepare to select the next rookie to join their team. But for the 2023 NBA draft, it feels a little extra special than usual. And that's because of Victory Wembanyama. 

The No. 1 projected overall pick has been called the best prospect since LeBron James. The best prospect in the last 20 years? That's saying a lot, but it sure seems to have a chance of being true based on Wembanyama's abilities.

One notable believer in Wembanyama? Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. This week, Nowitzki was in Manila, Philippines for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw as he served his duties as Chairman of the FIBA Players' Commission and FIBA Central Board member.

Nowitzki spoke with FIBA.basketball to discuss the FIBA World Cup, the evolution of basketball, and the upcoming superstar in Wembanyama. "You always think you've seen it all and then Wembanyama comes around, a 7-5 guy," Nowitzki said.

"I watched a highlight the other day and he shot a step-back from three, and then (got) a put-back. I mean, who does that?" Nowitzki said. "You got to be skilled, you got to be quick to the ball. You got to be long. It's scary how talented this kid is."

Wembanyama has had NBA scouts in a chokehold for years as the combination of his size and skillset truly seems to be one-of-one. The ability to score at all three levels with ease and finesse while also showcasing his elite shot blocking, Wembanyama looks like a once in a generation prospect.

"So long, the skill level, can dribble, can shoot. Hopefully he can stay healthy. That's the only thing that can hold him back," Nowitzki said. "I think everything else, I've heard he's got the work ethic, he's a smart kid, he wants to be great, he's putting in the work and we're all here to support him and see his full potential. We're all rooting for him. Hopefully his body holds up. Scary talent."

Nowitzki already has a basketball connection to Wembanyama, as the the versatile young big man has already sought out mentorship from a familiar face in Holger Geschwindner.

“After working with Dirk Nowitzki's longtime coach Holger Geschwindner, Wembanyama was encouraged to forgo a heavy weightlifting routine and let his frame fill out naturally, giving NBA teams and their army of performance and sports science doctors a near blank slate to work with," ESPN's draft analyst Jonathan Givony wrote.

The Mavericks have a 3 percent chance to land Wembanyama in June's NBA draft, which would pair him with Luka Doncic and arguably form the most exciting young duo in NBA history. Maybe Nowitzki can sprinkle a little bit of luck on Dallas' chances come May 16th's draft lottery.

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Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.

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