There is a fine line between cocky and confident, and San Antonio Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama knows how to walk it like a seasoned veteran.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft has remained humble with a team-first focus throughout his rookie season. Still, his personal growth and dominance of late are impossible for observers—and even Wembanyama himself—to ignore.
Wembanyama averaged over one assist and one rebound more per game in February than in January. He also improved his three-point shooting, jumping from 32.4% to 41.3% over that span. In February, Wembanyama averaged a personal best in assists (4.5), blocks (3.9) and steals (2.0) per game while posting his highest three-point shooting percentage in any one full month.
When asked Sunday night about the impressive progression and growth throughout his rookie season and whether he thinks about how big the jump could be after a full offseason, Wembanyama was candid in his response.
“It’s a day-by-day thing, but what’s for sure is that I’m not even close to being at my best,” Wembanyama told reporters after Sunday’s overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets in Austin. “I don’t see my progression stopping anytime soon, so it’s good for confidence, and there’s a lot to correct.”
Wembanyama’s belief that he’s not close to reaching his potential is scary for the rest of the NBA. It’s also proving to be true on nearly a nightly basis as the 2023-24 NBA regular season winds down.
In each of the past three months, the 7’4” rookie has averaged at least 21.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. Wembanyama’s shooting has improved throughout the season, as he has knocked down 47.1% of his field goal attempts over those three months.
