Victor Wembanyama Looking to 'Keep French Legacy Going,' Says Tony Parker
SAN ANTONIO — A dinner hosted by "San Antonio Spurs greats" without Tony Parker?
The idea seems strange, yes, but such was the case for Spurs No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio introduction, as the center met with Sean Elliot, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Manu Ginobili at Bliss Friday night.
"In a couple of hours, I learned more about the NBA than I had in my entire life," Wembanyama said of his 'Spurs Legends' dinner. "They're such kind people, and generous because they want to help me improve.
"I couldn't ask for better role models."
Parker or not, the meeting was a strong welcome for Wembanyama into San Antonio. And for a 19-year-old already raving about the city's breakfast tacos, the food was likely equally positive.
But despite the absence of the Hall-of-Fame guard Friday, Parker has become a role model for Wembanyama throughout his young career, stemming from the shared Heritage between the two players.
“I know he wanted to go to San Antonio, and so it feels like it was destiny, with the French connection we built over the years,” Parker said via KENS5. “And he is going to keep [that] legacy going. It's pretty cool.”
Anybody who's come in contact with Wembanyama before, during or after the draft knows full well the pride that the center holds in his France heritage.
Whether its taking media questions in his native language, his family giving him a send-off message in French or just simply his desire to make his country proud in the U.S., the rookie is looking to make an entire culture proud of his game.
Yet he still doesn't feel pressure. And it shows.
“He does not care about the pressure and expectation," Parker said. "I think the Spurs is the perfect place for him. He is in very good hands.”
Behind Hall-of-Fame coach Gregg Popovich, Wembanyama will have all the necessary resources to elevate his game in the NBA, especially if the Spurs keep Popovich for all three years of his expected contract.
There is work to be done before San Antonio can become a contender again, however. It could take a big free agency signing or a breakout season from an already-rostered player, but the young team — now centered around Wembanyama — is ready to get started.
“He is going to need some help to win a championship in the NBA," Parker said. "[It's] the hardest thing you are going to have to do. We've got a lot of work to do to try to bring pieces around him that are going to fit for us to be able to contend for a championship.”
The Spurs won't get to see Wembanyama take the court in the regular season for over three more months, but they could get to see his debut during the NBA's California Classic.
Game 1 against No. 2 pick Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets is set for Monday at 7 p.m. CST on ESPN2.
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