Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Reveals Rookie Year Goal

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is projected to win nearly every individual award, but those aren't his greatest aspirations.

Victor Wembanyama said he felt lucky when learning his fate at the NBA Draft Lottery in May. The San Antonio Spurs received the No. 1 pick and knew he would be joining a franchise with a rich history of winning.

The marriage between Wembanyama and the Spurs became official Thursday night during the 2023 NBA Draft. San Antonio made the French phenom its first No. 1 pick since Tim Duncan in 1997.  

From Rookie of the Year favorite to eventual MVP candidate, Wembanyama's career could feature him winning almost every individual award. But winning a championship is Wembanyama's most desirable aspiration on the cusp of his rookie season.

"Some players have tried to win the championship, win a ring for years and haven't made it — I don't want to be one of those," Wembanyama said. "This is going to be my goal, getting closer and closer every time to the ring and learning how to make it." 

Wembanyama has always possessed a winning mentality. But it is hard not to wonder what kind of impact losing in the LNB Finals had on him. Metropolitans 92 fell in a three-game sweep by Monaco, despite Wembanyama averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks during the series.

Wembanyama has just one championship title to his resume. It came during the 2022 campaign, where he helped ASVEL win their 21st title in franchise history.

Duncan is expected to mentor Wembanyama during his rookie season. But after spending the 2022 season learning from Tony Parker, Wembanyama has the groundwork for winning a championship at the highest basketball level.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter @Cotydavis_24.

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