Spurs Hoping Victor Wembanyama Rises High, Puts Them Back on Top

After a run of utter dominance from 1999 to about 2013, the Spurs have fallen on hard times lately.

They are hoping Victor Wembanyama can change all that. And Wembanyama is expected to indeed change the course of the franchise — a franchise that has become known for making the most of international talent.

If you remember, the Spurs once did it with French point guard Tony Parker and Argentinian shooting guard Manu Ginobili back in the Tim Duncan era. Those guys are long gone, but coach Gregg Popovich and The Spurs Way remain.

So when the Spurs selected Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they did so with the idea that they are headed for an organization reset — and mostly, a return to success. If not right away, then soon.

Wembanyama took the stage after being drafted with tears in his eyes. They were tears of joy.

The Spurs are hoping that they will be crying in the same way now that he’s arrived.

“It’s tough to win in this league,” he told ESPN. “I’m going to try to learn as quick as possible to win a ring.”