It’s now. The winner of the Victor Wembanyama contest is set to be announced. 14 teams will participate in the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night in Chicago, hoping that one of the ping-pong balls would fall their way, giving them the top pick this year and the opportunity to select Wembanyama.
The best odds of winning the lottery and selecting No. 1 are shared by the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons (14%, or around 7-1 odds).
See what all the commotion is about in the following.
Victor Wembanyama: Who is he?
He is currently one of the most talked-about players in the world for justifiable and clear reasons. He is a 7-foot-3, 19-year-old phenom who is poised to begin his NBA career after finishing his third professional season in France. When LeBron James refers to Wembanyama as “an alien,” he does so with the utmost respect. Wembanyama is a point guard with the passing skills of a center, the height of a center, and the shooting touch of a wing. His wingspan is around 8 feet, and without even jumping, he can almost reach the rim, which is 10 feet in the air.
What is the history of Wembanyama?
Both of his parents are incredibly athletic and tall. Felix Wembanyama, his father, is about 6-foot-5 and used to be a high jumper. Elodie de Fautereau, his mother, is about 6-foot-3 and was a star basketball player. They have made an effort to maintain a fairly regular existence for a son who just so happens to be famous throughout the entire world. Wembanyama has also made an effort to act like a typical young person; he enjoys sports, video games, art, and reading.
What occurs on Tuesday?
The draft lottery winner will have the opportunity to select player No. 1 in the upcoming election. Wembanyama will thus be selected by that team in June and maybe with his new club for summer league games in early July, even though he won’t “officially” be a member of that team until then (barring some type of amazing transfer).
READ MORE: Yankees slugger Aaron Judge sparks controversy with glance at bench
Is he going to fit in the NBA?
Everyone has to learn new things, including the first overall selection picks. And it’s a requirement for all rookies, especially those who have received a lot of attention, to face off against seasoned NBA players. Few of them are taller, but many are stronger and have more experience. He’ll experience some difficult times.
Where has he played?
He became a full-time pro in the 2020-21 season with the French club Nanterre. He has been on three teams in his three seasons in the French league, his year with Nanterre followed by a season with the powerhouse club ASVEL — owned by San Antonio Spurs great Tony Parker — and this season with Boulogne-Levallois. His current team wraps up its regular season on Tuesday (which is why he won’t be at the draft lottery) and is about to open the playoffs.
READ MORE: ‘The Voice’ shake-up: Reba McEntire replaces Blake Shelton for Season 24