Not since LeBron James has former NBA coach Bill Bayno seen as much anticipation for likely Pick 1 draftee Victor Wembanyama.
Wenbanyama, a 19-year old, 7-foot-4 phenom from France, is expected to be taken with the first overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs in Friday’s NBA Draft in Brooklyn (AEST).
Touted as a once-in-a-generation type talent, Wembanyama’s rare combination of size and skill has made him one of the most hyped — and coveted — NBA draft prospects in the last 20 years.
Watch every moment of the 2023 NBA Draft LIVE on Kayo from 9:30am AEST on Friday June 23. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
And that was even before he showcased his freakish talent for French team Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 this year, averaging 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks from 33 games.
Having already drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greats including a blend of Kevin Durant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dirk Nowitzki, Bayno believes Wenbanyana has the potential to join such legendary ranks.
“LeBron James is the only other draft prospect who’s had as much excitement and maybe Timmy Duncan … LeBron has probably been the most hyped No. 1 pick in the history of the NBA,” Bayno told foxsports.com.au.
“I’ve never seen Wembanyma play in person but I’ve watched him a bunch on film — he’s Kevin Durant on steroids. He’s a very similar player to Durant with his skill set and size, but he’s bigger and physically stronger at the same age.
“You hate to say this, because you don’t want to put pressure on the kid, but I think he could be one of the all-time greats, maybe the best ever.
“There’s strength to his game. He’s thin but wiry strong and he moves with a grace and fluidity out there, I don’t see an injury risk.”
MORE COVERAGE
Rumour Mill: NBA dynasty on verge of $40m break-up as shock Zion draft move heats up
NBA superstar reveals brutal manner he found out about shock trade
NBA’s new ‘Big 3’ born in bombshell trade… as family detail raises eyebrows
The Spurs hit the jackpot with Pick 1 this year to continue the franchise’s good fortunes in securing generational big men with the opening selection after landing David Robinson (1987) and Duncan (1997), who led the team to multiple championships.
Bayno thinks the addition of Wembanyama could also prolong legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s career.
“Wembanyama is going to be with one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game in Gregg Popovich, who I know is going to get the most out of him,” Bayno added.
“I think maybe ‘Pop’ was thinking about retiring soon. I would not be surprised if this keeps Pop coaching for another five, six or seven years, now with Wembanyama, which will be great for the league.”
Bayno, who had assistant coaching roles with the NBA teams the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, has strong ties to European basketball as the coaching director of adidas Basketball’s EuroCamp, which was held in Italy last week.
Adidas EuroCamp is the only officially sanctioned NBA pre-draft camp outside the US that showcases international hoopers for a chance to be drafted into the NBA, having helped unearthed the likes of Goran Dragic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Jaylen Brown.
Bayno said there were several exciting prospects to keep an eye on including the MVP of the camp, American forward VJ Edgecombe, who was the “big surprise,” French guard Nadir Hifi, who was MVP in the championship game, French forward Tidjane Salaun, Brazilian guard Daniel Onwenu, French utility Lucas Ugolin, Croatian power forward Leo Menalo and Senegalese power forward Ousmane Ndiaye.
“All those names have a chance to play in the NBA and there were three or four other really good American kids that are going to have a chance to play in the NBA as well,” Bayno said.
“The camp was great and the players were really talented. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
Discussion about this post