Spurs' Victor Wembanyama on Being Coached by Mom: 'Wasn't As Tough As Coach Pop'

Gregg Popovich won't be Victor Wembanyama's first coach, though he will be his most demanding, which will set up the center to be a young star in the NBA.

SAN ANTONIO — Despite not yet having played a single game for the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama's relationship with coach Gregg Popovich already seems to have legs.

Whether it's because of Popovich's rich history with developing European talent — his coaching resume boasting a Hall-of-Fame career for both Manu Ginobili and soon-to-be Tony Parker — or the fact that Wembanyama's partnership with the veteran coach was long anticipated, their bond is only set to grow this season. '

"I’m very excited [to coach Wembanyama]," Popovich said on draft night. "I’d do a somersault, but I’d be out for three months." 

No somersaults necessary, Wembanyama made it clear that he shared the same sentiment, having been excited to play for Popovich even before he was officially drafted. Now that he's set to join the Spurs next season, however, his chance to play under Popovich is finally upon him. The 28th-year coach won't be his first, though.

"[My mom] was my coach when I was like, five years old," Wembanyama said at his introductory press conference at AT&T Center. "For her and my family, basketball was secondary. The first thing was always grow[ing] as a person and being a good human being. [That came] before being a good basketball player." 

That mindset paid off for the now 7-4 center, who has developed into much more than just a basketball player. It's made him one of the most respected prospects in the NBA, and also a strong fit for San Antonio and its culture.

But it might have saved his basketball career, too. 

"I haven't experienced playing under coach Pop yet, but I know my mom wasn't as tough as him," Wembanyama said. "If she had been as tough as coach Pop, I probably would have quit."

Luckily for the Spurs, Wembanyama didn't quit. He's far from it, in fact, now set to become the face of the young franchise, which can now focus on making its way back to the top of the Western Conference. 

And if they do, it'll more-than-likely be due to the newest 7-footer in town.

"I'm just trying to be myself," Wembanyama said. "At the same time, though, I'm trying to learn and be as objective as I can to become the best. I'm not going to let anyone change the way I want to be. [That is] the best way I can become the best version of myself."

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