Spurs 7-Foot Rookie Victor Wembanyama Isn't a Center
Victor Wembanyama is a once-in-a-lifetime prospect.
The San Antonio Spurs, who have historically been good at developing prospects, have the chance to utilize the 7-4 big man in a variety of ways.
However, the Spurs were particular with their wording when they announced the official signing of Wembanyama, who inked a four-year, $55.17 million deal with the team. He was referred to as a "forward."
With an official height measurement just under 7-4, one would assume that Wembanyama would play the center position. Nowadays, centers playing a stretch-five role alongside their rebounding and screen setting isn't out of the normal. Yet, the Spurs are adamant listing Wembanyama as a forward.
Early in free agency, the Spurs were linked to different centers. Jakob Poeltl was a name the team was linked to, as they were reportedly ready to pay and pry him away from the Raptors and pair him alongside Wembanyama. Naz Reid would have been another target of the Spurs had he not signed a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It makes sense as to why the Spurs might want to play Wembanyama in a forward position. Even at his height, he can create his own shot from anywhere on the court, and can easily knock down a fadeaway three-pointer, as we've seen highlights of him doing. He's capable of handling the ball on his own and will be able to function in the offense on the wing rather than being constrained to the paint.
Leaving Wembanyama as a forward leaves the room for development endless, and the era of portionless basketball favors him playing both on the wing and in the paint. With a prospect with as high of a ceiling as Wembanyama has, there's not much of a wrong answer when it comes to handling how to use him, as long as the ball ends up in his hands enough for him to make a real impact.
You can follow Kade Kimble on Twitter @KadeKimble.
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