Christian Liewig – Corbis/Corbis by way of Getty Photos
The basketball destiny of the NBA’s subsequent generational star shall be determined throughout subsequent Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, however he reportedly won’t be in attendance.
In keeping with NBA reporter Marc Stein, Victor Wembanyama won’t attend the lottery or the NBA Scouting Mix as a result of his French League season remains to be ongoing.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo shared the total checklist of mix invitees:
Jeremy Woo @JeremyWoo
Right here is the total mix checklist, per the NBA. Observe that Victor Wembanyama isn’t taking part, together with his season nonetheless in progress in France. pic.twitter.com/ddPGSkeQFg
This is without doubt one of the most extremely anticipated draft lotteries in current NBA historical past contemplating Wembanyama has been called the perfect prospect since LeBron James. He’ll alter the trajectory of whichever workforce lands him and shall be anticipated to ship championships in some unspecified time in the future throughout his profession.
The Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets all have a 14 p.c probability of getting the No. 1 choose, whereas the Charlotte Hornets sit at 12.5 p.c and the Portland Path Blazers spherical out the highest 5 at 10.5 p.c.
Wembanyama’s presence on the mix is not practically as necessary as different gamers who’re combating for draft place.
He’s going to go No. 1 no matter how nicely he performs on the mix, so he would not have a lot to achieve and could be risking damage if nothing else. It can additionally give him the possibility to complete his season in France earlier than making the transfer to basketball’s highest degree.
And he shall be firmly below the highlight when he arrives within the Affiliation.
Among the league’s largest stars have already added to the hype with James calling him “an alien,” Stephen Curry saying he’s a “cheat code” and Kevin Durant saying “the league’s actually in bother when he is available in,” amongst others.
All that reward is sensible contemplating Wembanyama is 7’4″ with the power to shoot from deep, beat defenders off the dribble like a guard and rating within the paint. There is not a lot he cannot do on the ground, and he does not should show that on the mix.
The workforce that wins the lottery is taking him No. 1 on June 22.
