Spurs Complete French Connection with Victor Wembanyama, Sidy Cissoko
The San Antonio Spurs gained a few more fans in France when they took Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick, but they probably made those supporters even happier with the No. 44 selection, taking fellow Frenchman Sidy Cissoko.
Cissoko, 19, is from Saint-Maurice, a suburb of France, and about 45 minutes from where Wembanyama grew up in Le Chesnay.
Instead of staying in Europe for his final year before the NBA, Cissoko came stateside to play alongside Scoot Henderson and G League Ignite.
Wembanyama and Cissoko played against one another back in October during a two-game exhibition series in Las Vegas. While Wembanyama shined, Cissoko struggled, managing just nine points in the two games combined.
However, Cissoko's upside is more on the defensive end. At 6-8, Cissoko can defend multiple positions and is more advanced on that end of the floor. The reason why Cissoko wasn't taken higher in the draft is his lack of development on the offensive side. Luckily for the Spurs, he's only 19 years old and has plenty of time to work on that part of his game under a rebuilding San Antonio squad.
If Cissoko can improve his scoring abilities and prove to be capable of improving at the next level, the Spurs might have two French mainstays on their roster for years to come.
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