Victor Wembanyama, the 21-year-old San Antonio Spurs upstart, is recognized for his incredible ability to play basketball. What most don’t realize is how he learns from the best: by keeping a personal notebook of wisdom from NBA greats.
Wembanyama recently gave a glimpse into this process in a live show titled “The Shop: Uninterrupted.” He said that he keeps a special note on his phone with questions he needs to ask players such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James. He even went on to say that he spoke to Nikola Jokić for 45 minutes during the All-Star weekend and took notes. This is how much he values learning from the best minds in the league.
His eagerness to learn is more than merely talking. Wembanyama said, “When someone tells me something, I don’t forget it. It’s super precious, for sure.” This commitment, along with his towering 7-foot-3 height and innate talent, makes his potential extremely high.
Before his season was cut short by a blood clot in his right shoulder, Wembanyama played outstandingly, posting 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a league-high 3.8 blocks per game.
While the injury was a setback, he received support from other players, including Kevin Durant. Durant expressed his relief that the issue was caught early, saying, “That can affect your overall health… I’m thinking about Vic… he’s gonna put his best foot forward every day.”
The admiration between Durant and Wembanyama is obviously reciprocal. Asked on Kevin Hart’s “Cold as Balls” podcast if he was a huge Durant fan, Wembanyama responded quickly, “That’s right.” He later informed M6 Info following the Paris Olympics that Durant was his “favorite childhood player.” He even kidded, “I made it clear that I wanted to learn from him, perhaps only steal one or two of his secret techniques.”
There have been whispers that Durant could sign with the Spurs, and that would be a dream come true for Wembanyama to get to learn alongside his idol on a daily basis. Whether it happens or not, Wembanyama’s notebook will certainly keep expanding with some choice lessons from basketball’s most elite stars.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.