For the first time in 17 years, the first pick in the NBA Draft will likely belong to a player not among the college ranks.
Victor Wembanyama, 19, is expected to be picked No. 1 by the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night. The 7-foot-4-inch French basketball phenom is expected to be the tallest No. 1 draft pick since Yao Ming, who is 7 feet 6 inches, was picked up in 2002.
"Wembanyama’s height combined with his well-rounded skillset makes him one of the highest-ceiling prospects most scouts have ever seen," according to the NBA's Draft analysis."Despite being well over seven feet tall, he can handle and shoot the ball like a playmaking wing, but he has skills in the post as well, allowing him to simply shoot over smaller defenders. He’s a willing passer, able to punish double-teams.
The center spent the 2022-23 season with the Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite league. In 34 games, he averaged 21.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game.
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