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HOUSTON — Victor Wembanyama officially declared for the 2023 NBA Draft Friday afternoon live on ESPN's NBA Today. Wembanyama is the projected No. 1 overall pick and the most anticipated prospect since LeBron James 20 years ago.

The Houston Rockets will enter the draft lottery with a 14.0 percent chance to land the No. 1 overall pick and the rights to the French phenom. The Rockets are in a three-way tie alongside the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.

As a member of Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama is averaging 21.4 points on 46.9 percent shooting from the field, 9.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks.

"It's been a year with so many great news for me," Wembanyama said. "I wanna thank everyone who has been a part of this journey. I am really excited to announce that I have declared for the 2023 NBA Draft."

The 2023 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a star-studded class. Wembanyama is joining a class that features the likes of G League Ignite prospect Scoot Henderson and Alabama's Brandon Miller, who will round out the projected top-three selections.

Given his undeniable potential, Wembanyama told ESPN in February he would be happy to begin his career with the Rockets or any other team who selects him in the draft on June 22.

“There is no wrong team. I am not worried; there is no bad organization," he said. "I never tell myself I don’t like to go there."


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