It is no secret that Victor Wembanyama does not like to skip steps. After three professional seasons in France, the center for the Mets de Boulogne-Levallois announced to American media outlet ESPN on Friday, April 21, his intention to enter the 2023 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 22 at the Barclays Center in New York.
Victor Wembanyama officially declares for the 2023 NBA draft with @malika_andrews 👀
(via NBA Today) pic.twitter.com/OMgOJket4t
— ESPN (@espn) April 21, 2023
Among the most highly anticipated prospects of the 21st century, the 7’3″ pivot can now confidently await the lottery, set for May 16th, to find out which team will have the first pick, a position secured by the Frenchman for several months. For “Wemby,” who averages 21.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in the Betclic Elite, it is a dream come true. “I realized pretty young that I wanted to play in the NBA, but it’s a dream that becomes more of a reality every day. I’m so lucky to have this dream within reach.”
And even though the basketball world has been announcing his arrival in the NBA for several years now, the young Parisian admits to having trouble realizing what is happening to him. “Declaring for the draft is crazy. I still can’t believe it.”
He is already the fourth French basketball player to enter the draft this year, after Bilal Coulibaly, Nadir Hifi, and Rayan Rupert. Surely, the announcement of the candidacy of Sidy Cissoko, who played this season on the NBA G-League Ignite in the Gatorade League, the NBA’s development league, is imminent.
Entering the NBA draft is a significant step for any basketball player, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in their career. In the case of Wembanyama, the young player has gained much attention for his impressive performance on the court, despite his age. Many people are excited to see how he will fare once he enters the NBA.
French basketball has been growing in recent years, with more players entering the NBA and gaining international recognition. The country has produced some of the world’s most talented players, such as Tony Parker and Rudy Gobert, and the rise of players like Wembanyama indicates that France could continue to make a significant impact in the basketball world.
The NBA draft is an exciting time for basketball fans all over the world, as the next generation of players is ushered in. For Wembanyama and others, it is the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make a name for themselves on the world stage.
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