Inside The Spurs

Spurs' Gregg Popovich Praises 'Wonderful' Victor Wembanyama

Gregg Popovich enjoys coaching San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.

Jeremy Brener

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The relationship between San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and rookie Victor Wembanyama continues to develop and grow as the season goes on.

Popovich has been quite the help for Wembanyama, who recently strung together arguably his most well-rounded performance of his NBA career so far. On Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wembanyama achieved the rare 5x5 feat, where he recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks. It was just the 15th time in NBA history someone had recorded such a stat line.

Victor Wembanyama LA Lakers
© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

"He's (Wembanyama) a wonderful guy to coach who loves to be coached," Popovich said postgame. "He can handle criticism and we're working with all the fundamental, basic things. Footwork, pivoting, balance, all the things that a young player needs, and he's jumped right in. Obviously, he's better every month."

The biggest part of Wembanyama's game that's improving is his aggression. He has a lot of force at 7-4 and he's beginning to learn how to take what is his.

"In a lot of those ways in his aggressiveness, you could see it tonight. He got to the free throw line because he took the ball to the rim, to his defender," Popovich said. "Instead of fading away or avoiding contact, he sought it out and when he does that, you can see that he's really understanding how to play the game."

Victor Wembanyama's Incredible 5x5 Game Makes NBA History in Spurs' Loss to Lakers

As Wembanyama grows both cerebrally and physically, that part of his game is only going to flourish, making it much more difficult for opponents to defend.

Wembanyama and the Spurs face off against the Utah Jazz tonight at 7 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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