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Six-Time NBA All-Star Makes Honest Statement on Playing Against Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama received high praise from this former Chicago Bulls star
Joey Linn|
Dec 8, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) in the first quarter at the Frost Bank Center.
Dec 8, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) in the first quarter at the Frost Bank Center. | Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

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Chicago BullsSan Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is unlike any other player in NBA history. The 7-foot-4 phenom was dominant in his rookie season, and projects to only get better as his NBA career continues.

During a recent episode of the Club 520 podcast, six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan shared a story about facing Wembanyama last season in a Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls game.

“You see it now,” DeRozan said of Wembanyama’s ability. “Even like how he was playing in the Olympics. The way he just played in the championship game. He’s still a kid, bro… Now watch how he’ll be this year.”

France power forward Victor Wembanyama
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; France power forward Victor Wembanyama (32) shoots against United States guard LeBron James (6) in the second half in the men's basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. | Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On his matchup with Wembanyama last season, DeRozan said, “We played them this year, I swear I had a drive to the lane - I’m on one side of the key, he’s on the other side. I stopped for the layup and pulled it back out. He was on the other side of the key. I just knew he had the recovery length to be able to f—king block whatever I throw up. You just look him in the eyes and know he’s gonna be one of them ones, for sure.”

This is high praise for Wembanyama from one of the game’s established stars. Having spent three seasons with the Spurs, DeRozan also said Wembanyama will be able to benefit greatly from head coach Gregg Popovich.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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