Spurs Banking On Big Things From No. 1 Pick

The Spurs have won the NBA Draft lottery three times, and each time the top prize was a big man who was supposed to change the course of the franchise.

David Robinson did it.

Tim Duncan did it.

You’re up, Victor Wembanyama.

“I might faint,” Spurs owner Peter J. Holt said on the ESPN after the Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft lottery. “I’m so excited. The city of San Antonio, our fans, man — we just have so many people that love the Spurs so we’re pumped.”

Wembanyama is different than Robinson and Duncan in that each of the latter two played four years of college basketball. Wembanyama, 19, played professionally in France, against what could be considered G League competition.

Still, Wembanyama is 7-foot-3 with a major wingspan and an ability to score from anywhere. And word is, he could be even better defensively.

“He clearly, you know, appears to be a generational talent,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN before the lottery. “And, you know, there’s lots of other examples of generational talents who come in this league who’ve met expectations and some who haven’t. But I have no reason to believe he won’t.”

As for Wembanyama, well, he should be happy he’s going to an organization that knows something about prized big men.

Coach Gregg Popovich certainly does, too.

“My heart is beating. I got everyone I love, everyone I know around me,” Wembanyama told ESPN from France. “It’s really a special moment I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

What a night ?#NBADraftLottery | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/hLD5Szq7FI

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 17, 2023