Victor Wembanyama has a good head on his shoulders and it shows. He doesn’t sulk or pout when things aren’t going his way and is admittedly a bookworm. Apparently, the seven-foot-five rookie also knows that must stay away from ‘distractions’ like drugs or alcohol.
In an interview with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Wembanyama explains why he doesn’t need to compensate by doing things like partying and getting drunk or stoned.
“I just feel like I’m immune to the things people like to tell me to pay attention to this. All the bad things like, yeah distractions, like partying, like alcohol, drugs, whatever. Like, why would I ever do that?
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Also, I don’t have nothing to compensate for.“
Victor Wembanyama on dealing with potential distractions
Wembanyama registered a historic rookie season and is probably the Rookie of the Year runaway winner. He broke records along the way, becoming the first to record 1,500 points, 200 blocks, and 100 three-pointers made in a season.
As O’Connor noted, he could make the All-NBA and All-Defensive team in his rookie season. Some NBA personalities, such as Draymond Green and Ryen Russillo, think he deserves to be the Defensive Player of the Year. Even LeBron James did not have these considerations as a first-year player!
Besides the statistical excellence, the Frenchman is also a natural leader and aware of what’s happening around him. For instance, JJ Redick related a story he heard from the San Antonio Spurs camp. Allegedly, Wembanyama refused to go up the stage at a Drake concert if his teammates couldn’t come with him.
Whether that story is true or not, Wembanyama is developing as a basketball player and a person right before everyone’s eyes. For that alone, he’s already a GOAT.
