Victor Wembanyama’s Debut in the NBA Summer League: Expectations and Reality

In the bustling city of Las Vegas, the NBA Summer League saw one of the most anticipated events of this offseason – the arrival of Victor Wembanyama on the court. The star rookie played his first match in the tournament and… did not entirely live up to the hype. Here’s what happened.

Wembanyama was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, making history as the first Frenchman to be chosen as the number one pick, and the first European since 2006 who hasn’t played a season in the NCAA. Instead, Wembanyama dominated the French league, leading in points, rebounds, and blocks, driving his team to the finals and securing the MVP award.

The world was eagerly awaiting his debut as a Spur. The excitement grew even more on Wednesday when a regrettable incident involving Wembanyama occurred – pop star Britney Spears was harmed by his bodyguard. Spears spotted the young basketball player at one of the Las Vegas restaurants and tried to pat his shoulder to get his attention when the security guard intervened.

Initially, it was assumed that he accidentally hit Spears in the face, but a minor police investigation clarified that the guard merely brushed off her hand in an attempt to protect his client. So, it ended without any legal repercussions.

The incident further fueled anticipation for Wembanyama’s Summer League performance. Tickets for the Friday game against Charlotte Hornets, averaging $96 each, sold out before tip-off. This marked only the second time in Summer League history and the first time for a season opener, where such frenzy surrounded a match. NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Atlanta’s leader, Trae Young, and other stars attended the game.

The moment Wembanyama hit the court, thousands of phone cameras focused on him, particularly when he scored his first points three minutes into the match. Prior to that, Victor had missed thrice, including a failed dunk. His only successful shot in the first half was a pivot shot from under the basket, out of seven attempts.

Things took a dismal turn in the third quarter when the Hornets’ big man, Kai Jones, dunked over Wembanyama. Indeed, in his very first match, a dunk was executed over the 7’3″ tall, highly touted prospect. Victor didn’t attempt to attack the hoop at all in the third quarter.

His second (and final) successful shot was a three-pointer towards the end of the final quarter. Wembanyama’s game performance was 2 out of 13 (15%) in the winning match against the Hornets (76:68).

Yes, the debut was underwhelming. Whether it was nerves or the weight of heightened expectations, Wembanyama’s game was passive. He took a backseat in a match that was, in essence, all about him. His attempts to penetrate the basket were timid, and his shots were predictable. He committed three turnovers. But neither this nor his shooting issues ultimately hindered Victor from making his presence felt.

He moved remarkably fluidly and quickly for his exceptional height. His court vision was excellent, creating space and delivering quality passes, finishing the game with three assists—there would have been more if his teammates hadn’t fumbled a few opportunities. He rebounded the ball (nine) and blocked shots (five)—one of which was a three-point block on Brandon Miller. No matter how ordinary Wembanyama’s offense was, he can still emerge as a generational talent. And it was evident.

“This is a special moment. To wear the San Antonio jersey for the first time—it’s genuinely a significant honor. Overall, I’m happy that we won this game. Honestly, I didn’t quite understand what I was doing on the court, but I’ll try to learn from this for future games. The main thing is to be ready for the season. I think the most challenging thing for me was communication. It’s crucial for me to learn how to react to the situations that the point guard creates,” said Victor after the match.

Yes, his Spurs debut will likely not be remembered for long. Is it good or bad? It doesn’t matter now. One game in the Summer League is not a definitive indicator. Besides, Wembanyama will have more chances to show his worth in this tournament. In the next game, his San Antonio will play against Portland. Follow the Summer League events in online mode—tune into our text broadcast!