What Did Spurs First Think of 15-Year-Old Victor Wembanyama? 'Greatest Player Ever'

SAN ANTONIO — After speaking with Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns ahead of their fall camp, San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson made another offseason trip in early August.

Instead of preaching to college football players, the 39-year-old flew home to Seattle to meet with Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald as the Seahawks prepare for their first NFL preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 15.

Filmed as part of Episode 2 of the latest season of NFL Films' "Hard Knocks," which aired on HBO Max Tuesday night, the coaches talked with one other in Macdonald's office.

They had one pressing matter to discuss; he stood 7-foot-4 and hailed from France.

"When did everybody know that he existed?" Macdonald, sprawled out on a coach, asked Johnson of 22-year-old superstar Victor Wembanyama. "And (that he) was a good player?"

Spurs general manager Brian Wright, who joined Johnson on his voyage home, took the lead. He gave credit to R.C. Buford; the CEO apparently lucked into a generational prospect.

"He just happened to be in the gym," Wright said, leaning against a door frame. "He actually wasn't planning to see him. (Wembanyama) was just about to turn 16."

Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; France power forward Victor Wembanyama (32) celebrates after defeating Canada in a men’s basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Buford returned from France awakened. He made abundantly clear his excitement.

"I think I saw the greatest player I've ever seen in my life," Buford told Wright.

At the time, the Spurs still rostered both DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge — a duo that took them to the playoffs in 2019 before a six-year drought ensued. With Wembanyama in mind, the team's brass began to work on preparing for a future beyond the two talents.

"We put the plan in motion," Wright began, "to ... have a chance to draft (Wembanyama)."

San Antonio bought out Aldridge's contract in March 2021, allowing him to enter free agency. Aldridge later signed with the Brooklyn Nets, where he ended his professional career after 16 seasons. Five months after moving on from Aldridge, DeRozan joined the Chicago Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade agreement ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Two years later, on the tail end of a 22-60 season leading up to Wembanyama's arrival, the Spurs landed the highest odds at the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. A month following their final game of their disappointing 2022-23 season, they won the Draft Lottery.

Buford had spent most of his career watching Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker bring championships to San Antonio. But he was right about Wembanyama's talent. Within three seasons, the Frenchman had led the team back to the NBA Finals.

“That young man has a rare desire to step into every moment that’s in front of him," Johnson said after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in May. "He has some rare, God-given ability. He puts in even more work and preparation into maximizing that."

Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) listens to head coach Mitch Johnson in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In his first postseason, Wembanyama averaged 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.5 blocks on 49 percent shooting from the field across 22 appearances. San Antonio fell to the New York Knicks in five games in the NBA Finals, but made a compelling statement as the third-youngest team in league history to reach the championship series.

Wembanyama, who made a push for the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award along with earning his first Defensive Player of the Year Award and first All-NBA First Team nod, spent his final postgame interview speaking on what he gleaned from the NBA Finals.

"This is the biggest lesson of my life," he said. "The biggest learning moment."

His response to that adversity impressed Johnson even more. The coach concluded his time with Macdonald by affirming Buford's initial analysis of the 7-footer.

Even at 15 years old, the Spurs knew they'd stumbled upon a budding superstar. Ahead of his fourth season, even NFL coaches want to hear tales of his greatness.

"He wants to be the best player ever," Johnson said. "He'll tell you that in a blink ... which is a crazy statement ... (but) he's never done anything that puts himself above the team. Ever."

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