Victor Wembanyama won’t be showcasing his talents in the states this summer.
The presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft is not expected to suit up for the San Antonio Spurs during the 2023 NBA Summer League, according to SpursTalk.
The 19-year-old is still playing with his team Metropolitan 92 against AS Monaco Basket in the LNB Pro A French league finals, and it can potentially stretch all the way to a decisive game on June 20.
With the 2023 NBA Draft slated for June 22, and Summer League soon after in early July, the Spurs are trying to prevent overexerting the French sensation to stave off injuries prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.
“[Wembanyama] is a chance to reorient the entire franchise and build upon the experiences and successes of the last 30 years,” a team source told SpursTalk. “He’s that type of player and, more importantly, that type of person.”
The 7-foot-5 talent averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and three blocks a game this season, and has been labeled a can’t-miss prospect.
But the Spurs also realize the inherent risk in taking such a tall player in the draft.
Players of Wembenyama’s size have traditionally been at risk of lower extremity injuries.
Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, was drafted with a similar build as Wembanyama.
Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury in a Seattle Pro-Am game in August, costing the talented 7-footer his rookie season.
Yao Ming, who was 7-foot-6 and with a thicker build, was drafted No. 1 overall back in 2002.
Ming retired after eight seasons with the Rockets, citing foot and ankle injuries.
Gheorghe Muresan, who stood 7-foot-7, only played six seasons and never played a full season, averaging 50 games a year.
If Wembanyama can produce anywhere near what the expectations are, skipping Summer League will quickly be forgotten.
San Antonio also will be picking 33rd and 44th in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.
