Latest news with #Wemby
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former NBA Star Fires Shade at Spurs' Victor Wembanyama
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Over the last couple of years, San Antonio Spurs young star big man Victor Wembanyama has been one of the most talked about players in the NBA. Truthfully, the league has never seen anything quite like Wembanyama. From a physical perspectively, he is an absolute unicorn. His skill-set is also unique. Unfortunately, last year in his second NBA season, he was forced out of action due to blood clot issues. Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after a 131-121 victory against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after a 131-121 victory against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo byHeading into year three, the Spurs are once again a team that many think could make a jump. That will depend on what kind of season Wembanyama can put together. Read more: Lakers' Marcus Smart Sends Bold Luka Doncic Message With that being said, one former NBA star spoke out with harsh shade about Wembanyama. The shade came from a place of honesty, but it was a still a very critical take. During a segment of his "520 Podcast," former star point guard Jeff Teague made it clear that he would take Paolo Banchero over Wembanyama at this point. He also went on to throw shade at the San Antonio center. "I'm taking him over Wemby, I'm taking P5 over Wemby," Teague said. "Right now, I'm taking him over Wemby, bro. The reason I say he's better than Wemby is because Wemby ain't really done nothing. We just like Wemby because he's a freak. He's a phenomenal player, but I'm just going to go with what I see." Last season with the Spurs, Wembanyama played in 46 games. He averaged 24.3 points per game to go along with 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from the three-point line. To compare, Banchero appeared in 46 games as well. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and shot 45.2 percent from the floor and 32 percent from three-point range. Read more: Report: Warriors Could Look to Sign Sleeper Free Agent Guard On the outside looking in, Wembanyama did produce better numbers. Teague is entitled to his opinion, but it's a very debatable take. It will be interesting to see what the 21-year-old big man has in store for the 2025-26 season. Coming back from a scary health situation, he'll be looking to make up for lost time and to lead San Antonio back to the playoffs. Before long, he could make Teague completely change his opinion if he plays up to his full potential. For more on the San Antonio Spurs and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Antonio Spurs' perfect outcome for No. 14 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
The post San Antonio Spurs' perfect outcome for No. 14 pick in 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. It's important to note that he may not be there. In fact, Khaman Maluach is likely to be gone well before the 14th pick of the NBA Draft. But the perfect outcome regarding that San Antonio Spurs selection would be landing the former Duke center. Advertisement Measuring in as a 7-footer, the South Sudan native would give the Silver and Black a new set of twin towers — though perhaps the most unconventional pair yet thanks to a potential pairing with Victor Wembanyama. Why Khaman Maluach would fit Spurs well David Banks-Imagn Images All accounts indicate the Spurs are going to take Dylan Harper win their first pick of the night at No. 2 overall. That their second- and third-best players occupy much of the same space that Harper would occupy doesn't seem to matter. This is an era in which 'fit' doesn't seem to matter nearly as much as in years past. Not to mention, Harper is projected to be very good — as in a clearly better prospect than anyone else in the lot not named Cooper Flagg. Advertisement That's not the case with Maluach. The Spurs don't have anyone like the 252-pound center whose length and range go beyond his 7-foot frame. Some analysts describe him as a prototypical new-age center prospect. The former Blue Devil has the athleticism to both protect the rim and switch out and guard a shorter player on the perimeter. Not surprisingly, Maluach is a lob threat offensively. It's part of a game that several who follow closely say has tons of upside. Some teams point to a jumper they think can realistically improve. After all, he is just 18 years old. Taking in stride that Maluach has traits that weren't fully utilized or fleshed out at Duke, there's reason to believe he would work well with Wemby. Their skill sets don't truly overlap. Wemby is extremely effective from the outside while Maluach, thanks in part to a rawness, is most effective around the basket right now. Wembanyama can pass and create while Maluach can finish. Defensively, Maluach can pick up a threat at the 3-point line, while Wemby can handle any player coming into the lane. What they can both do is block shots in the lane. It could prove a complementary and versatile pairing. How Maluach, Wemby would differ from towers of the past While Houston Rockets greats Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon each featured skills the other didn't have, they were both big men who did their damage in the paint. Same goes for the Spurs' legendary set of twin towers. Though Tim Duncan was better on the block than David Robinson, both were at their best around the basket. The difference between the two pairings came in that one was more athletic than the other or one had better footwork than the other. The gap between Wembanyama and Maluach is wider. It's the difference between two types of players. Maluach doesn't need the ball. Given that the Spurs are set to feature DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside Wemby appears to fit just fine. Advertisement Again, Malauch likely won't be there at No. 14. But the Spurs are rumored to be a team that could trade that pick. Could they move up to land the Duke product? If the price is right, this would make a lot of sense. Related: San Antonio Spurs' nightmare outcome for 2025 NBA Draft Related: NBA rumors: Spurs continue to bat away all No. 2 pick trade suitors
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers make trade with Spurs moments before NBA Draft
The post Pacers make trade with Spurs moments before NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. The first trade of draft night has happened as the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a deal less than an hour before the 2025 NBA Draft. The Spurs were originally in possession of the 38th overall pick, but that has now gone to the Pacers. In exchange, San Antonio is getting a future second-round pick and cash. Advertisement 'First draft pick trade of the night: The San Antonio Spurs are trading the No. 38 pick in tonight's NBA draft to the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick and cash, sources tell ESPN,' Shams Charania said in a post. There is more to consider here outside of just the trade. The fact that the Pacers used cash adds an extra layer. 'Something to keep an eye on for the Indiana Pacers: Because they just used cash to acquire the #38 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Indiana will be hard-capped at the second apron,' Keith Smith said in a post. 'I've got the Pacers $39.8M under the second apron, but that's before re-signing Myles Turner and filling out the roster.' After the trade, the Pacers are in possession of the 38th overall pick and the 54th overall pick in the draft. They do not have a first-round pick this year. Advertisement This is a big draft for both teams given their current trajectories. The Spurs are looking to continue to build around their young superstar Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are a team on the rise because of Wemby, and they are expected to be legitimate title contenders soon. San Antonio could've been a play-in tournament team this season if Wemby didn't have his blood clot issue. The Pacers are in a different position than they expected after the injury to Tyrese Haliburton. There is a chance that he is out for the entire 2025-26 season, and that would change the outlook of the roster quite a bit. A lot of teams have a lot on the line in the 2025 NBA Draft. We are just minutes away from it all going down. Related: 3 Pacers 2025 free agency targets after Tyrese Haliburton injury, NBA Finals loss Related: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton gets visits from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Reggie Miller after Game 7
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gervin shares why the Spurs shouldn't trade their two picks for a star player: "You build a young core up"
Gervin shares why the Spurs shouldn't trade their two picks for a star player: "You build a young core up" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Like the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs were lucky to move up in the 2025 NBA Draft after getting good luck in the Draft Lottery. While the Mavs moved an incredible 11 spots from No.11 to No.1, the Spurs went up six notches from No.8 to No.2. Advertisement By getting the 2nd pick, San Antonio now owns the No.2 and No.14 picks in the upcoming Draft. Because of this, some analysts are suggesting that the Spurs package the picks to trade for an established superstar who will turn them into contenders next season. However, Hall of Famer George Gervin, who once played for the Silver & Black, thinks that if the franchise wants to contend for a title for a long time, they need to build their core from the ground up. "You build it. You build a young core up, I think that's important. And then you have something you can build for a while. We already got five championships, so if you want some more, and you want more than one, then you got to build a solid foundation and grow from there. They got a good nucleus. They got a real good nucleus with Fox coming in, Wemby. They got a really good nucleus to put something together," said Gervin. It's a new NBA era now The Spurs finished 13th in the Western Conference team standings last season with a 34-48 record. Despite that, San Antonio already has a very good young core composed of Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, plus a veteran Harrison Barnes. Some believe that if the team added an established superstar, they would be a playoff team next season. Advertisement Before the lottery, there were talks that the Spurs might package Castle and their two first-round picks to get that superstar. However, after one of the picks became the No.2 pick, San Antonio now has an opportunity to add Rutgers prospect Dylan Harper, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for the Scarlet Knights last season. With young teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers squaring off in the 2025 NBA Finals, Gervin thinks the current NBA era is over and the new one has arrived. Because of that, the Spurs should join the revolution. "Hey, y'all know just like I know. The old era is gone. No LeBron, no Steph. It's a wrap. They got the young fellas now. So everybody gonna be an ex-player one day," added the Iceman. Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image Building something sustainable If we listen to the grapevine, there are conflicting rumors about what the Spurs intend to do with their first-round picks. ESPN's Shams Charania continues to insist that San Antonio is one of Kevin Durant's preferred landing spots. Meanwhile, Brandon Scoop Robinson recently said that SA is leaning towards keeping the pick. In line with Gervin's statement, they want to build for the future and are not in a must-win now mode. Advertisement "Despite speculation linking Kevin Durant to various Western Conference teams," Robinson wrote. "League sources tell me the Spurs are not pursuing the former MVP. 'San Antonio's not in on KD,' a source familiar with the team's thinking told me. 'They have concerns about how many years he has left in the tank, and the focus is on building something sustainable around Wemby.'" Make no mistake. KD is still an outstanding basketball player right now. He would certainly make the current Spurs team much better and turn them into a playoff contender. However, imagine Wemby growing up with Fox, Bailey, and Castle. Barring any unfortunate injuries, that core is going to be formidable in the next five years. Related: Gervin admits Durant is the only player in the NBA somewhat similar to him: "He was just probably as accurate as me" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
‘Tallest monk in history': NBA star shaves head for spiritual journey at Shaolin Temple in China; check photos and video
Victor Wembanyama, the towering 7'3' star of the San Antonio Spurs, just traded dunks for deep breaths. After ending last season early due to a rare blood clot in his shoulder, the French phenom was spotted at China's legendary Shaolin Temple — bald and Zen. The 21-year-old NBA All-Star and 2023-24 Rookie of the Year is taking a spiritual detour after a rough season. Benched since February due to a rare deep vein thrombosis, Wemby missed the playoffs as the Spurs got knocked out. Now, he's gone off-grid, reportedly staying at the legendary Shaolin Temple in China. While Wemby hasn't posted anything himself, a state-run outlet in Henan claims the French baller is indeed at the temple, though staff refuse to spill details. Before vanishing into monk mode, Wemby was spotted living it up in Beijing, hitting the Great Wall, shopping, shooting hoops and strolling through parks. The Shaolin Temple is known for attracting celebs like YouTuber IShowSpeed. An image that has gone viral shows Wemby, now shaved-head and solemn, sitting in a monk's chamber surrounded by tiny Buddha statues. In another photo, he looks like arranging food to eat. According to CNN, Chinese state media confirmed the baller's surprise visit. They have called it a 10-day retreat for peace and spiritual strength. A Twitter (now X) user named EnmingHuang has shared multiple photos of the basketball player, who is also known as The Alien. 'Wemby is going into the 10 days closed door training at Shaolin Temple. Let's not disturb him，Maybe no news from him for the next ten days!' the user wrote. Another X account called him 'Perhaps the 'tallest monk' in history, both ancient and modern'. 'Victor Wembanyama had his head shaved at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, donned monastic robes, and shared a vegetarian meal, preparing for a 10-day spiritual journey to learn Shaolin Kung Fu,' wrote China in Pictures on X. 'While most NBA players visit China for business-related activities, Wembanyama's trip is genuinely about cultural exploration,' it added. The NBA's official social media account in China shared the pic, according to CNN. They said Wembanyama had joined the monks for reflection and healing. A fan even caught him on video at the 1,500-year-old temple, famous for kung fu and Zen teachings. Is Wemby levelling up his mindset before his comeback? Fans are loving this spiritual side of the rising star. They can't wait to see if it reflects on court!
