Spurs praise Victor Wembanyama for team-first approach: ‘I don’t want favors’

Victor Wembanyama gets plenty of attention for what he can become. Inside the Spurs, the appreciation is for who he already is.

As written by Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs center has earned trust and respect by consistently putting the group ahead of himself, a trait that resonates in that building.

“I have never one time seen him put anything individually self-serving above the team in any way,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. “He’s one of the 18 members of the team and he acts like that 100 percent of the time.”

That mindset fits a familiar Spurs lineage. Orsborn notes the parallels to franchise pillars David Robinson and Tim Duncan, stars who paired elite talent with uncommon modesty. Like them, Wembanyama welcomes being coached hard and does not ask for special treatment.

“I want to be held accountable,” Wembanyama said. “I don’t want favors. I want the same treatment as everybody else.”

Teammates see it daily. Wembanyama’s approach does not change based on minutes, contracts, or status. He engages everyone, from rotation players to two-way guys, and sets a tone that extends beyond the box score.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, he’s trying to embrace you,” Spurs wing Stanley Umude said. “He’s all about winning. No ego stuff going on.”

The Spurs are still building. Wembanyama is still growing. But the culture piece, the part that’s hardest to teach, already looks familiar in San Antonio.