In two months, No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama will report to his first NBA training camp as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, and all eyes will be on him.
The 7-foot-3 French phenom has been described as a generational talent, and some have even gone as far as to say he’s the greatest prospect in NBA history.
Some would argue that neither Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, nor LeBron James ever had the kind of hype attached to them that currently surrounds Wembanyama.
But former NBA star Tracy McGrady feels the Wembanyama hype is simply too much, via Jim Rome.
.@TMac_213 on why the Wemby hype is too much. pic.twitter.com/hgNp0yC2bi
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) July 26, 2023
“The kid is young,” McGrady said. “…He’s going to have everything he needs to reach that level of greatness. Will it happen? We all got to sit back and watch, but yeah, the hype is too much. It is too much because it’s like we’re setting this kid up to fail. If he doesn’t live up to it, then we’re going to be bashing him.”
After a strong season playing pro ball in France, Wembanyama played in two NBA Summer League games earlier this month, and at times, it was clear his ceiling is very high.
In his second game, he scored 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 2-of-4 from 3-point range while grabbing 12 rebounds and blocking three shots versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
But at other times, it was clear that his body needs to catch up to his game.
Opponents were able to push him out of position, and he lost his balance numerous times, which has led some to worry that he will have injury problems, especially since he has a very rail-thin frame.
Luckily for him, he will be coached by a true great in Gregg Popovich, and he will play for an organization that nurtured and developed two of the best big men of the last 30 years in David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
NEXT: Former NBA Player Says Victor Wembanyama's Ceiling Is Shawn Bradley
