On Monday night, NBA fans were able to get their first look at two of the biggest rookies in the league: Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Their two teams battled it out on the hardwood in a preseason game that featured both players leading their squads.
Following the game, Wembanyama spoke to the press about Holmgren and the future between them.
He suggested good things were ahead for the fans.
“I know it’s just preseason but for sure the games against OKC are gonna be interesting,” Wembanyama said, according to the Spurs, via Yahoo Sports.
"I know it's just preseason but for sure the games against OKC are gonna be interesting."
Wemby says he has no relationship with Chet Holmgren 🍿
(via @spurs) https://t.co/g3GzhCKsLS pic.twitter.com/f9hyAh81FY
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 10, 2023
Wembnyama admitted that Holmgren made the Spurs work hard during the game and seemed to believe that would be the case in the future as well.
Holmgren was set to be a rookie last season.
However, an offseason injury caused him to miss all of 2022-23.
He is now entering the league with a slew of other promising rookies, including Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, and plenty of others.
Wembanyama and Holmgren have a lot in common.
They have similar physical builds and there is overlap in their play styles too.
They are also signed to teams trying to improve and reach the playoffs again.
For months now, people have said that Wembanyama will have many tests during his first season in the NBA.
He will have to battle it out against seasoned veterans who have been playing in the league for years.
But he will also have to compete with rookies looking to make their own marks, such as Holmgren.
NEXT: Spurs Veteran Shares His Thoughts On Playing With Victor Wembanyama