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Victor Wembanyama may have impressed every objective observer during his rookie season, but he’s motivated to do more.
The San Antonio Spurs star told Mike Monroe of The Athletic that he does not think his performance this season exceeded expectations.
“That is not how I feel,” Wembanyama said. “Maybe it’s the case, but it’s not how I feel because I always, every day, try to push harder and do more, get more achievements, more records, more wins. But the next day I always tell myself that I didn’t do enough and to push me even more.
“So, it’s my first impression that I didn’t exceed any expectations, that I should have done more.”
Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game during his rookie campaign. He was named a Defensive Player of the Year finalist while flashing an improved jumper and better-than-expected playmaking skills on the offensive end.
While the Spurs finished with the NBA’s fifth-worst record at 22-60, that didn’t much matter as the entire organization came away wowed with Wembanyama’s progress.
“I think it would be very difficult for anybody to live up to the expectations that the league and the fans put on him,” Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said, via Monroe. “I think every night we saw something different that we had never seen before. Between playing, coaching and being in the front office, I’ve watched 50 years of basketball and every night I would see something from Wemby I haven’t seen before.
Wembanyama’s next step will be translating his individual brilliance into team victories. San Antonio is expected to be active this offseason looking for ways to improve the roster. The Spurs could carve out something approaching max space with a roster adjustment or two, and they’ll have a high lottery pick for the second straight year.
While this draft class is considered far weaker than Wembanyama’s, landing a second in command would be an excellent way for the Spurs to get the ball rolling on a turnaround.
