What Can San Antonio Spurs Expect From Victor Wembanyama?

Before the San Antonio Spurs start their preseason, it's worth taking a look at the lofty expectations on Victor Wembanyama's shoulders.

It’s rare that all eyes are on the San Antonio Spurs. Even when they were competing for championship after championship, they were usually an afterthought. “Boring” basketball and quiet stars in a small market do little to attract camera crews. This summer, that all changed.

As the Spurs prepare to travel to Oklahoma City for their first preseason game on October 9th on NBA TV, it’s safe to say that everyone in the basketball world will be paying attention. The arrival of Wembanyama on an NBA stage has been hyped for years at this point, and the fact that it will happen when two rising small-market teams play each other is poetic. Unless, of course, the Spurs opt to rest Wembanyama in that first game and instead have him make his debut at home on the 13th against the Miami Heat. That would be very Spurs-esque.

Either way, the 7-4 budding superstar will be making his first NBA appearance in only a matter of a few days. It’s safe to say that Wemby will not be playing 40 minutes a game, but fans can still expect to see him get real court time either against the Thunder or Heat.

Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell pose at Spurs Media Day / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Usually, the Spurs give their rookies a chance to showcase themselves in the preseason. Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan, both NBA-ready prospects as rookies, got more than 20 minutes per game of play. Luka Samanic, Keldon Johnson, and Josh Primo all hovered around ten minutes per game, but none of them were advertised as instant-impact players. Despite all the questions surrounding the Spurs’ starting lineup, Wembanyama is a lock to be included.

Wembanyama will probably receive 20 minutes per game this preseason, mostly to appease fans and get a feel for the NBA offense. On defense, he should fit in right away. In those 20 minutes, four blocks and two steals are not out of the realm of possibility.

On the offensive end, chances are he will get the green light to do whatever he wants, but expect more misses than makes early on. Double teams will be all over him right away, so most of his points will come in the paint from entry passes until he adjusts to the speed, which could take multiple games.

The Spurs play five preseason games. Wembanyama will most likely play in three or four. Averaging 20 minutes, my prediction is 16 points, three assists, 11 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks on inefficient scoring. Despite being the most talented prospect in recent memory, there will be a lot to learn. He will be a monster in the paint from the start, being 7-4 with athleticism lends itself to that. Beyond that, it’s more about how he fits into the rotation more than anything else, and how the Spurs build schemes around him.