He may have been halfway across the world from where the event took place, but all eyes during Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery were on French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the consensus No. 1 selection in next month’s draft. It was considered a foregone conclusion that Wembanyama would be selected by whoever won the rights to the No. 1 pick, and we got to see in real time Wembanyama’s reaction to his future NBA destination.
Wembanyama seems destined to head to San Antonio after the Spurs won the lottery. But Wemby’s most interesting reaction might have been to the team he’s not going to. After the Rockets were announced as the fourth pick, Wembanyama turned, smiled and pumped his fist, seemingly in relief that he didn’t have to join the Rockets organization.
Here’s the video:
Victor Wembanyama appeared to be relieved the Rockets didn’t secure the first pick 😅
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 17, 2023
🎥: @OKCThunderFRpic.twitter.com/WLwrBtM6il
Houston does have plenty of young talent, with players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, but have been among the league’s worst teams for the last three years. Since the end of the 2019–20 season, Houston is just 59–177.
Wembanyama did seem happy to be headed to San Antonio, where he’ll get to play for a coach in Gregg Popovich who is set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this year.
“I’m really happy,” Wembanyama said on ESPN. “I really can’t wait to meet the fans and to meet hopefully the team I’m about to go to.”
