Indiana Pacers preparing for Victor Wembanyama: 'I've never seen anything like it'
The Indiana Pacers host the San Antonio Spurs tonight for the first time since Victor Wembanyama joined the NBA. The rookie phenom, who is currently listed at seven-feet-four-inches tall, is averaging over 20 points per game through his first six outings.
The French big man is just 19 years old but is already impressing many around the league. He scored 38 points against the Phoenix Suns last week, he already has two double doubles, and his block count continues to climb. He is a matchup nightmare for most teams with his size and skill.
"It's crazy," Pacers forward Obi Toppin said of the number one overall draft pick. One of Toppin's former teammates at the University Of Dayton, Ryan Mikesell, played against Wembanyama in France last year. Toppin has the early details. "He said he's crazy. Like you can't guard him," Toppin recalled of past conversations.
Many around the NBA thought Wembanyama would be impactful right away, especially on the defensive end. His mobility and size combination has rarely been seen before in the league. There's a reason he ranks second in blocks per game, so far only trailing Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis.
His offense has surprised some. So far, the 19-year old is averaging 20.5 points per game and shooting 48.9% from the field. It's difficult to contest his shots because his release point is so high, and he's currently taking over five threes per game. That doesn't even account for his dunks (he already has 14 this season) or his general finishing around the rim (78.9% from inside of three feet).
"It's a new type of player completely," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's everything that was advertised just in terms of impact, skill, ridiculous highlights. Things we've never seen before."
His length is so unique that teams have to prepare for him with different tools. The Dallas Mavericks, as shown in the video below, tried to find a way to simulate his wingspan in practice.
"He made [Kevin Durant] look little," Toppin said. Durant is listed at six-feet-ten-inches tall but looked small compared to the French big man.
Pacers center Myles Turner worked out with Wembanyama in a previous summer, so he's had an up-close view of the phenom. Turner shared over the weekend that he's been impressed with how quickly the rookie is figuring things out in the NBA.
"If you hit him, he can still recover," Turner said. Many of Wembanyama's blocks have come after he is seemingly beaten on defense, but he recovers and swats away the shot. "I've never seen anything like it."
The young Spurs center is not without weaknesses. He is turning the ball over almost four times per game, something that will be a constant work in progress for a tall ball handler. Dribbling the rock from such a high starting point will naturally lead to some turnovers. He's only shooting 31.3% from deep so far on a decent volume. Passing is not yet a strength for the French big.
But Wembanyama is already such a force defensively and around the basket that he's changing game plans and making noise around the NBA. Tonight, the Pacers get a shot at him and will try to slow him down and make him uncomfortable.
"It's going to be fun though, playing against them," Toppin said. Even beyond his on-court play, just seeing Wembanyama and his size is a spectacle for some.
"Most of it looks indescribable and I haven't seen him in person yet," Carlisle said of his game. Tonight, the Indiana Pacers get their first shot against the rookie sensation.
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