Victor Wembanyama has touched down in the United States ahead of the NBA draft.
On Monday, a plane carrying Wembanyama from France landed at Newark International Airport near New York City. The towering basketball player is widely expected to be selected as the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s draft.
Even before officially becoming an NBA star, Wembanyama experienced a taste of his future stardom.
Numerous fans were aware of his flight details and eagerly awaited his arrival. Wembanyama happily obliged their requests, signing autographs on basketballs and Spurs jerseys, some of which already bore his name on the back. He then proceeded to board a waiting vehicle.
“It’s quite amazing how they knew about my flight, but it’s all in good fun,” Wembanyama remarked in a video shared on the NBA’s social media platforms. Navigating through the New Jersey airport, he ducked his head to avoid hitting the signage affixed to the terminal’s ceiling. “It’s a unique experience to witness the impact you can have on people.”
The upcoming days will be filled with a whirlwind of activities for the talented 19-year-old French prodigy, Victor Wembanyama. Regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent, often compared to the impact LeBron James made when he entered the league in 2003, Wembanyama is set to embark on a hectic schedule.
On Wednesday, he is expected to attend a media availability session ahead of the draft, followed by the highly anticipated NBA draft itself on Thursday. It is likely that he will make his way to San Antonio on Friday, where he will begin his professional basketball journey.
However, the action-packed summer doesn’t end there for Wembanyama. He has already been confirmed as one of the participants in the inaugural NBA Con in Las Vegas, coinciding with the commencement of the Summer League from July 7 to 9. Additionally, he has expressed his desire to represent France in the Basketball World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. The tournament is slated to begin in late August and will run until September 10.
With an eventful summer ahead, Wembanyama is poised to leave his mark on the basketball world as he transitions to the NBA and continues to showcase his skills on the international stage.
