Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Bryan Kalbrosky

Victor Wembanyama and Tim Duncan had nearly identical stats in their NBA debuts

The San Antonio Spurs have had the No. 1 overall pick twice in the past three decades, drafting Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and Tim Duncan in 1997.

We do not yet know if Wembanyama is going to accomplish what Duncan was able to do during his professional career. But what we do know is that these two big men had nearly identical stats during their NBA debuts, which is amazing.

Wembanyama recorded 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, also adding two assists for the Spurs during a loss against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Wednesday night. When he first stepped on an NBA court in 1997, for what it is worth, Duncan did the exact same thing.

Duncan also recorded ten rebounds and two blocks while securing a victory against the Mavericks when he made his NBA Debut. Wembanyama had just one block and five rebounds in a home loss.

But it is still worth acknowledging the uncanny similarities in their games.

Before the 2023 NBA Draft, we asked Wembanyama to name his all-time starting five. Wembanyama included Duncan among his starters even before the Spurs called his name with the No. 1 overall pick.

After the draft, the big man posted a photo of himself hanging with Duncan (as well as David Robinson, Sean Elliott and Manu Ginobili) and called them his “role models” in the caption.

 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.