Spurs Analysis: How Can Victor Wembanyama Improve in Training Camp?

Two key aspects of the French phenom’s game are in dire need of improvement, and if he can focus on improving them — as he likely already is — his potential impact can be that much higher.

No matter how closely you follow the San Antonio Spurs and their new rookie, Victor Wembanyama, chances are you haven't heard much "negative."

Taking irrational social media users out of the picture, just about every piece of content related to the 7-4 French phenom has been positive, impressive or meant to increase excitement — which makes sense. A once-in-a-generation prospect doesn't come around every year. 

But in the midst of the positive media attention, criticisms of Wembanyama tend to get lost. After all, how much better can a 19-year-old "Extraterrestrial" get?

The short answer is a lot. Wembanyama has an endless stream of natural talent, but without workshopping and actively adapting his game to match NBA speed, it could all be for not. 

So, that being said, where can he improve this offseason to maximize his rookie-year potential? 

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the Spurs' first Las Vegas Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center / © Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

One of the main factors that sets Wembanyama apart from other rookies in his class — and ever, for that matter — is not just his size, but what he’s capable of at his size. Being as tall as he is and being able to shoot 3s, control a dribble and make difficult passes are all ways that the Spurs rookie can set himself apart on the court. 

But that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. 

Last season for Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama shot just 27.5 percent from 3 and 47 percent overall. The latter stat isn’t anything to look too much into, but for a player praised for his supposed ability to hit long-range shots, being sub-30 percent isn’t a great place to be. 

Summer League, unfortunately for the rookie, wasn’t too kind for Wembanyama on that front. Across his two game span, he shot just 30 percent from deep. Granted, he hit a dagger late in the Spurs’ comeback bid against the Portland Trail Blazers, but not too many times else. 

Wembanyama has proven his ability to create space for himself. Whether his hands are on the ball or not, his long strides give him that advantage, and when factoring in his wingspan, his 3-point shots are virtually unblockable. 

So, if he has an unblockable shot, it’d be nice to hit it consistently, right? 

Any other answer than “absolutely” is wrong there. The only issue with Wembanyama currently, is that his shot is nowhere near that level. Sure, it’s unblockable, but it also needs to be unstoppable. 

Another to-do for Wembanyama prior to his rookie season is to hone in his ball-handling. Being as tall as he is, defenders swiping the ball away from him while he tries to create space in the post isn’t a difficult task, and it showed. 

Throughout the Spurs’ first game, which featured a rookie who “didn’t know what he was doing,” Wembanyama found himself in that situation multiple times. As he tried to back down defenders, he’d get stripped of the ball and suddenly, the Spurs’ opponents had a fast-break score. 

Having that happen once is one thing … but why did it continue to happen to Wembanyama? 

Two main reasons stick out on this one. Guarding a 7-4 forward is a daunting task, and not one that every NBA player would willingly sign up for. So, naturally, the defender will call for help. 

And unfortunately for Wembanyama, no matter how tall he is, fending off two or three defenders in the paint is almost too difficult for any one player. 

That’s where his passing comes in. He proved that during his two Summer League appearances, showing off his around-the-defender’s-back passes as much as he did kick-out finds, but when one move starts to become too predictable, it may not longer be as effective. 

Finding an alternative — either in the form of a down-low shot or a dribble package — will be essential for the rookie, especially during the regular season against a much better set of defenders. 

This training camp gives Wembanyama the chance to work on those things. His shooting will come, especially with continued reps and shootarounds, but working on his post game may take more effort. 

Either way, he has room to improve. And judging on the way he treats his personal health, he’s likely to welcome criticisms on his game. And rest assured, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has made him aware of those. 

The next step is for him to show off those improvements during the regular season — now just 30 days away.