French prodigy Wembanyama gets early taste of NBA | ABS-CBN

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French prodigy Wembanyama gets early taste of NBA

French prodigy Wembanyama gets early taste of NBA

Nicolas Pratviel,

Agence France-Presse

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Victor Wembanyama of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 shoots over Eric Mika of G League Ignite in their exhibition game on October 6, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP
Victor Wembanyama of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 shoots over Eric Mika of G League Ignite in their exhibition game on October 6, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP

With an 8-foot wingspan and the smooth shooting touch of a point guard despite his towering frame, French prodigy Victor Wembanyama didn't disappoint in his first US appearance.

Wembanyama, 18, flew to Nevada with his French league team to showcase the skills that many informed observers believe will make him the number one pick in next year's NBA draft.

About 200 NBA team representatives and more than 70 media outlets were on hand for the teenager's first ever match on US soil as he led the Metropolitans, based in the Paris suburbs of Boulogne-Levallois, against G League team Ignite.

Despite facing another hot NBA prospect, Scoot Henderson, the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama grabbed 37 points and made five blocks as his team went down to a 122-115 loss.

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He followed up that eye-catching debut with another masterpiece on Thursday, scoring 36 points with 11 rebounds, four blocks and four assists in a 112-106 win over the Ignite.

He has even drawn comparisons to LeBron James at the same age.

The four-time NBA champion repaid the compliment, calling him a "generational talent".

"No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor," James said on Wednesday.

"I mean at 7-foot-4, or 7-foot-5, or 7-foot-3, whatever the case may be, his ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step-back jumpers out of the post, step-back threes, catch-and-shoot threes, block shots."

While Wembanyama's unique array of talents have prompted some to describe him as a "unicorn", James said the French teenager was "more like an alien".

The fans in the half-filled 5,000-capacity Dollar Loan Center in Henderson on Tuesday will be able to say they got an early look at a player who many experts believe could surpass France's two leading basketball exports, Rudy Gobert, formerly of the Utah Jazz and now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Tony Parker, who was an integral part of championship-winning teams at the San Antonio Spurs.

- 'It's talent' -

Wembanyama's club coach Vincent Collet, who has also guided the French national team to Olympic and European silver medals in the last two years, was not surprised at his young charge's performance.

"For a boy of 18, his maturity is impressive. He knows who he is, what he wants and he recognizes the effort he will need to put in to achieve it," Collet said.

Wembanyama took the media frenzy in his stride, fielding questions from US network ESPN and a gaggle of American reporters.

He described the games in Nevada as "the most important of my life in terms of showcasing myself to a global audience".

He was accompanied on the trip by his parents and staff from the Comsport agency, who also represent Gobert and other French players in the NBA.

It was the NBA's idea to organize the games between the Metropolitans and Ignite, even though the French club have already begun their domestic league season.

Such is Wembanyama's talent that there is speculation some NBA teams may 'tank', or deliberately finish in the lowest positions that guarantee them one of the top five draft picks, in the upcoming season that opens on October 18.

"When you are dealing with unique players like Victor, you are not surprised. He is capable of doing things that normal players can't do. It's talent," said Collet.

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Champion mentors Leo Austria, Norman Black highlight Milcu coaching clinic

Champion mentors Leo Austria, Norman Black highlight Milcu coaching clinic

ABS-CBN News

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San Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria. Photo from PBA ImagesSan Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria. Photo from PBA ImagesMANILA — Milcu Sports and Got Skills will gather several high-profile stars within the coaching circle, both from the amateur and professional ranks, for a one-day coaching clinic on March 30.

Headlining the speakers at the Greenhills West Clubhouse in San Juan are multi-titled tacticians Leo Austria and Norman Black as they are expected to share their wealthy coaching knowledge and experiences with basketball enthusiasts and aspiring coaches in the event organized by tournament and clinic director Allen Ricardo.

Austria, the architect behind the nine titles of PBA's winningest franchise San Miguel, leads the star-studded cast and will get to talk about "My Secondary Breaks" at 11:00 a.m.

Black, who had plenty of success stories in PBA and UAAP both as a player and as a coach, is set for a 2:00 p.m. talk about "Defensive team concepts to help your team.”

Meralco Bolts deputy Norman Black. Photo from PBA ImagesMeralco Bolts deputy Norman Black. Photo from PBA ImagesThe 67-year-old Black, of course, is regarded as one of the most dominant imports to ever set foot in the PBA before he made a leap into coaching, collecting 11 titles including a rare Grand Slam in 1989 with San Miguel.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran's strength and conditioning coach Bryan Cay will kick off the clinic at 7 a.m. while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA junior basketball coach Joph Cloepas will follow suit at 9:00 a.m.

Cay will speak about useful drills that can help in conditioning the players before, during, and after games while Cleopas, who steered the ALTAs to a historic finals appearance in the NCAA Season 99 juniors tournament last year, is set to discuss half-court executions.

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Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao will also attend the clinic for his 10 a.m. talk amid a busy schedule as his Elasto Painters are currently gearing up for the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals against rival TNT.

NLEX head coach Jong Uichico, a holder of nine PBA titles he won with three different teams during an illustrious coaching career, will speak about various ball screen defense and rotation at 1:00 p.m.

Former PBA coach Alex Compton and multi-titled former National University women's basketball team shot caller Patrick Aquino will then wrap up the coaching session as they speak about pressure defense and disruptive zone press, respectively.

The clinic is open to everyone, including those who are just starting in their career or those who are eager to further expand their expertise.

Those who are interested can register at: https://forms.gle/RfVNDpHdt9TVWXeA6

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