Victor Wembanyama's Rookie Season to Remember | Ringer NBA
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 เม.ย. 2024
- The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor sits down for a wide-ranging interview with rookie NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama. They cover the skills that Wemby is looking to add to his game this offseason, tips and tricks he had to learn the hard way in the NBA, what he appreciates about coach Gregg Popovich, differences between the NBA and the European game, and much more. They also break down some tape from Victor's inaugural season with the Spurs, highlighting some incredible moments and walking through his playmaking thought process in real time.
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A 7'5, athletic, mobile, graceful, intelligent, 20 year old. Wow.
7’3.5”
So you're saying Kareem Abdul Jabar 2.0💯
Wowwwww
he's more than intelligent, he's literally so wise. it's wild
@@peteblaxmith youre right... it's amazing to witness. He is almost unbelievable.
This kid is smart as hell. The NBA is in good hands next 10+ years.
you misspelled the next 20+ years
he’ll be bout 29 in 10 years lol that’s like the beginning of his prime that’s just crazy
After beating Denver, he and Jokic were having a chat. Jokic had his back to the court, and Wemby had hisback to the scorers table, facing the main full court camera. He covered his mouth so that no one could later lip read the video. He’s always been cognizant of being on camera, and what comes from that.
Smart is not enough... he is wise.
Someone in the forums stated he led the league in OUT : Opponent U-Turns.
Haha I thought that was a clever acronym for the effect he has on players driving to the rim.
"At the end of the day i'm just a human being. Or... am I ? 😏" On top of all his talents, he's already so good at building his own legend 👽👽👽
+ sense of humour = high IQ
lol
At which minute of the video does he say this please ?
@@AZBYCX20080 around 45:30
Thank you so much ! :-) @@c0up
the way he explained having a hard time with catch-and-shoot 3s because the ball is too small was hilarious
I'm fascinated by his hands.. They are unreals..
French Spurs fan here.
Double blessed.
Same bro! Future looks bright!
I stay about an hour from San Antonio and I love to see the worldwide fans appreciation! I mean if course we kno we’re world wide but it’s still awesome! Much love ✌🏽🫡!!
Tony set the table well for this connection
Btw, I expect him to have a hell of an Olympic run.
@@gregorydeleon8394 French Connexion and International Culture baby!
San Antonio seems like a very "European-like" city as well.
Low key, lovely lifestyle, some art, some nature, the river.
European Basketball players are less about money/fame and the bright lights of the Big Markets compared to American kids or young Europeans gifted athletes who chase fame with Football/Soccer.
Basketball pays way more money and brings more media attention in any NBA team than in any club in Europe, so it's already a lot to take in.
This is why European players tend to stay in their franchise longer if things go well Basketball wise.
They usually care less about LA or NY and the lifestyle that go with these massive cities.
Hopefully, the Spurs will manage the Post-Pop era well enough to bring Victor contention opportunities until he retires.
It's probably the only thing that would make him leave:
Kid wants to be the goat so he needs a great team and a lot of rings for that.
But he couldn't have landed in a better franchise to make that happen.
A match made in heaven! Like it was written.
Victor was destined to be a Spur.
I know everyone praises Vic for being awesome but we should also give huge flowers to his family and entire coaching staff. It might be his talent that got him here, but there's no way he would be this self-centered and wise beyond his years just by himself.
And he's not the kind of self-centered person that only focuses on himself. He's more than conscious and considerate of those in his life, so it's incredibly easy to see how capable he is to not only improve himself, but also help improve the people around him
@@DatzCanny I mean, he said that his best memory of the season is when his grandmother called him to say she's proud of him. What a wholesome thing to say.
I got what you meant and I agree with you, but there's a difference between being centered and being self-centered (Wemby being the former).
@@ghostofkenny Sorry, you are right, not my first language. But I guess people got what I meant.
From an interview he did in France before the NBA season I got the feeling this guy is really aware and focused like a meditative Buddhist monk could be. He is so focused and self conscious only injuries could stop him from becoming the GOAT
A Wemby interview is BIG!!! Congrats Kevin
KOC intervieweing rookie wemby is gonna be stuff to remember
@@MadHatProduction017 Totally. Happy for KOC and The Ringer. Love the idea of the bosses at ESPN and Disney watching Wemby bring his articulate, humble, youthful vibe exclusively to this space and thinking... oops.
Literally
Is this his first interview? Understandable if it is, but did you people not think those questions were horrible? "You are already the best all around defender in the NBA, what is your ceiling?" This was mostly the interview. Glazing Wemby than giving him a question that's so dumb and empty. It's clear Wemby has a good head on him and can fill in answers, but this guy was very amatuer and for someone with the potential of Wemby, it would've been nice to get a proper interviewer opposed to a newbie asking airhead questions. "You are the best, can you be better?"
Facts I was waiting to see someone say this a lot of the questions were horrible or atleast the way he asked them
“At the end of the day I’m human, or am I?” 🤣👽
"What do you have inside you" lol
Are you trying to tell us something 🤔👽
Wembanyama is the reason why I am watching NBA basketball again after living overseas for 20 years. I have not been this excited about the NBA since the Jordan era.
♥️
We don’t care
Go Spurs Go!
Minus his melodrama-which I mostly agree with you on, and the irrefutable shortcomings in his career, LeBron is 1A and 1B with Jordan in the GOAT conversation, and Wemby being almost fated for that echelon about twenty years after LeBron was like LeBron was about twenty years after Jordan was, is all amazing to witness. Generational shifts
same here.
Kevin Durant’s impact on the next generation of basketball goes far too unnoticed, so awesome to see Vic give him his flowers.
Wemby is already way more skillful than kd😂 the post up skill and the rebounding skills are UNREAL
@@Kryoflyxreally ignorant take
@@Kryoflyxhe was uplifting both players. Yeah Wemby is probably better if you wanna think like that, but there’s no way life’s enjoyable just thinking about who’s better. KD is a certified HOFer and was the first successful “unicorn” type of player.
Is "give flowers" some kind of French idiom for "give props" or "pay respect to"?
@@idnoble idk if it has its roots in French but yeah that’s what it means
Intelligent, humble, confident and hardworking. A beautiful person before being a great basketball player ! happy to be able to follow his career!! I already miss not seeing him play before the Olympics!
Go Spurs Go ! from Paris France
Ah c'est un sans-faute pour sa première saison, il nous tellement fiers !
Il est juste parfait on and off the court, proud of the person he is before anything else
I'm mesmerised by how confident he can be without ever seeming the least bit arrogant. He has the humility of knowing everything comes from hard work, but he knows he puts in that work he can be one of the best ever and isn't afraid to say it
p.s. great interview KOC 👏👏just wish the room around you guys had a bit more vibe, it feels dead as f***! What about some artwork, or for god's sake offer the kid a glass of wine or cup of coffee, something to put on that table to give it some purpose lol
@@empireoflightzhe can’t legally drink yet in the us atleast 😂
@@empireoflightz artwork is Wemby's other passion, it's a good idea ❤
@@Keiiluminatihe can in France 😂😂 I suppose he'll préfère water.. ❤
@MimieThalie yes, give him some water or a cup of tea at least 😅 poor guy has to hold the mic for 50mins
Only takes about a minute or two in to realize this kid is the full package. What an impressive young man.
Shaq : "Bol Bol is better"
Wemby : "👽"
Shaq aka "ive seen that before" O'Neal
@@user-tt1hx2nm4phe’s still trying to keep bolbol in the conversation. I’m trying to know how long he can keep this up. 😂
@@user-tt1hx2nm4p Shaq gets jealous of every big man that has more potential than him.
So articulate for someone who taught himself English as a kid in pursuit of his basketball dreams.
It’s interesting to hear how intelligent his remarks are to what comes off as instigating from Kevin. Very classy. People need more respect like this. No need to put anyone down to build yourself up.
Greatest rookie season ever
For a rookie who is 20 or under, yes. Back when players spent three or four years in college, some rookies had even more success than Wemby.
Fuck no. What? 🤣
@@dimitrijetucovic1307you may state your argument. but wemby is the best defender in his rookie year day 1.
@@ChristianAliBaybayan Ever heard of Wilt Chamberlain? Michael Jordan? Shaquille O'Neal? Oscar Robertson? Kareem Abdul Jabbar? Need i go on?
@@dimitrijetucovic1307he had a way better rookie season than MJ on BOTH sides and he put up season averages thats only been done since prime shaq let alone rookie season shaq. This was hnds down one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time. And number 1 when youre talking about 19-20 year olds. He strted the season 19 breh
He’s gonna be an all-time great.
This about to be the most viewed Ringer video
NBA : Wemby
Football : Mbappé
Judo : Teddy Riner
swimming : Léon Marchand
Rugby : Antony Dupont
table-tennis : Brother Lebrun (felix and alex)
Figure skating : Adam Siao Him Fa
Volley-ball : Earvin N'Gapeth
French athletes are no joke
Respect
The Lebrun brothers ,bro! Felix and Alexis , i will add Earvin N'Gapeth at volley-ball
@@laurentmendibixta5992 yes sorry
Figure skating: Adam Siao Him Fa
Vic got better emotional intelligence then most of y’all grown adults
right? when he was talking about everyone having certain experiences even if they've lived a good life... I was like damn he already gets it at such a young age.
GOAT mentality. The Spurs renaissance is here.
This guy has greatness in his DNA. He is destined for it. Its his purpose
In this interview he mostly showed greatness in acquired mentality rather than innate abilities
He's so mature beyond his age.
As far as next face of the league this is it. Even though he is not American, he has that IT factor, English being his 2nd language he is very articulate, speaks well, sounds very intelligent, has a large vocabulary, does not use much slang. The basketball talent speaks for itself, but Wemby the individual is what stands out the most. Everyone who has interviewed him is left in awe. JJ said he has never seen a 20yr old behave like Wemby. His parents raised an amazing indivudal from the look of things. The spurs were bad all season, but he didnt want to miss any time. Pop would say Wemby was not happy with him for deciding to sit him. Imagine fighting Pop to play, checking tourself back into games. He wants it, and hes all about the team, and his teammates, even at times when it doesnt seem like his teammates may feel the same
He use slang but in French i dont know if he know the usa slang
@@micahjohnson138I am French and while I have not kept track of all his interviews in the ones I heard he was very articulate in French and did sound like an educated person
@@Crystalgeometry because its interview he say wesh and i dont think people like you like that wemby parle en verlan il et juste comme mbappe il s'exprime bien devant les caméra et derrière les caméra ils sont normaux ils parlent pas comme ça entre jeunes 🤣
Smart kid and so chill. I like that he’s very authentic and still remains humble. He’s confident, but not arrogant.
Kevin O’Cards-on-the-table with the awards ballot
Lmao I was thinking the same thing
Thank you Guillaume Alquier for keeping Wemby in peak form throughout his first season. GSG
Il a fait un sacré boulot c'est vrai. Et merci aussi à Pop d'avoir fait attention à sa santé. Il est zn de bonnes mains pour résister physiquement en tout cas. ❤❤.
he's the first person I have ever seen with the chance to overtake MJ as the greatest ever, same mentality and even greater potential physical attributes, just incredible to watch and listen to, a beautiful person, that's for sure
You just forget about Bron?
@@jedkyle5873 had a chance but underperformed at every stop.
@@BreadstickJesseLol, im a French Wemby fan (And also a Bron fan) and if Wemby go to 10 Finals, is the best player on the court in 8 of them, win 4 title and all 4FMVP, and also 4 MVP+ that insane longevity, 20 years as a Top 10 player, and off those 20 he was the best in a good 10-12 years between 08 and 2020 …
If Wemby do that he is a lock for Top 3 player ever so i don’t know what you’re talking about, Lebron is 39 in his 21st season still going strong, winning the first IST MVP ever at this age is crazy, and his career isn’t even finished yet lol, Lebron could win another 1 or 2 title if he is lucky like Kawhi in 2019 (KD and Klay injured) Curry in 2015 (Kyrie and Love injured) or 2022 Curry (Murray and MPJ injured) …
Saying Lebron underachive is the craziest thing i ever heard 😂Nobody except him is in the GOAT debate with MJ and dont talk about Kareem, Magic or even worse, Kobe 😂
@@jedkyle5873he didn’t forget, MJ is the Goat followed by In no particular order, Larry Bird, Kareem, Bill Russel, Tim Duncan, Kobe, and then LaBron
He won’t pass LeBron. Bigs peak at a certain point and have shorter careers. He damn sure ain’t passing Jordan
We are so lucky to have wemby in San Antonio. So many amazing things to come to the city! Despite our record. He grew so much. I’m excited for next season. Really hoping the spurs as a whole bring a challenge into the NBA. The way we ended the season was so mind blowing.
Highly impressed with this interview. What a blessing to interview victor. He just seems so kind and humble and that’s why we love him too!! Anyways, congratulations on this epic interview! 😁🔥🥳✨
💪💪🦾🦾❤💙
we’ll be back on top soon, GSG 🖤🤍
take care of him love from paris and i hope he will beat y'all in JO ^^
it's simply just outrageous that wemby has the physical traits that he has and then a MASSIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL EDGE AS WELL. the man is LOCKED IN and the season is OVER
Pretty amazing how self-aware and insightful he is at 20 years old, and even more amazing that he can express those insights in his second language.
It wasn't his second langage. He learned alone, watching American's series when he was young because he wanted to play in NBA. It proves his détermination . And he learned English at school too.
@@MimieThalie c'est la definition de second language lol...
@@MimieThalieit’s is a second langage in France except school there’s no English speaking even our shows are translated.
this kid is gonna be special off his mentality alone.. he cant even fully express what hes thinking in english but im always blown away hearing him speak , at only 20 years old.. goat in the making
Make sure he’s DPOY Kevin! lol appreciate this interview it was great! Thank you
Wembanyama makes it feel good again to be a Spurs fan. He's an extremely special talent.
Not only is he a ridiculous talent, but he’s very well spoken and mature for his age. Reminds me of young Tim Duncan that way.
On behalf of spurs fans from around the world. We’re all spoiled to have potentially the greatest basketball player to ever play
awsome 50 minutes interview that went by so quickly it felt like a 10 minutes interview. We need more of Wemby
No we need to let Wemby rest and focus on upgrading his skills so he can continue his path to dominance
@@barcelonadgreatesight but you can’t tell me you wouldn’t love to see him on podcast p
@@novaismajin Man, I would love to see him on Podcast P.
@@barcelonadgreates I know that's a given but I love to hear him speak
Wait guys, the best part is what he said almost towards the end! That he has been receiving messages from other players about playing with him!? Even prospects too!? LOL! Unless i did not hear it right, freakin awesome! I want names Victor so we can decide who to team you up!? LOL!
I mean, if Luka ends up there you might as well just give them the next 5 championships right now
@@empireoflightzfax😂
📠
@@empireoflightzluka would probably prefered to go to Denver with his friend. ❤
Trae young/wemby duo could be the greatest ever
The head this kid has on his shoulders is unmatched. And at 20. Oh my...
He seems like an all-around good guy. It's been a pleasure watching him play. I'm so glad he's a Spur. #GoSpursGo #PorVida
God I love this young man’s demeanor, that’s what sets apart a lot of guys who come in the league with expectations. Do they have the mentality to succeed at the highest level with that talent? With Vic, it’s an easy YES
He’s already the GOAT.
when he said “you are” he just means that we really are all free in this universe. the world is what you make of it and Victor is acutely aware of that.
I can listen to Wemby talk all day.
Amazing to see such a humble superstar in the NBA again. It's been so long
There is something in the water in Europe. All the Euro greats are humble.
Yeah, because Giannis and Jokic are so not-humble, right?
no sir! it was the European players who brought back this humiliated! and guess what? European players are the best in the league right now...
Egotrip is something that came from the black populated ghetto from the US and got traction through hip hop. In Europe you can feel it on soccer players sometimes but basketball not being that big help eu players have this down to earth attitude and that's probably for the best
@@Crystalgeometry Thats why Mario Hezonja was such a different person XD
Definitely defensive player of the year.
Such a humble person
No attitude nor chip on his shoulder. He had a lot of class
Definitely refreshing to see and is a perfect fit with the Spurs
KOC
OUTSTANDING INTERVIEW
Congrats Kevin, great interview. Wemby is such a down to earth, humble guy. Excited for his future.
Humble and chilled but super confident, it's such an interesting combo
I’m so glad he completed a full season with no injuries or nothing, hope the best for him and that he stays healthy
recurring minor ankle issues do worry me at that size, but I agree, it's a really good sign for the rest of his career
So poised at such a young age, future MVP without doubt and won't be surprised to see him lead France over the USA in the 2028 Olympics.
Wemby interview BANGGG
"such a small basketball" insane
The fact that KD is his idol made me a fan of the kid from the beginning. Incredible player to model your game after. Wemby will dwarf everyone in the next 10 years man. Just give him a proper Point guard and let him cook. May God protect him from injuries and bad management not being able to surround him with the right profiles. Very likable person who also is very competitive and eager to learn. ❤
This kid is most intelligent young basketball player i ever see he know the biiomechanic of his own body know what to do to be better not only about the physical aspect but also technical and tactical aspect he never talk about nonsense always focus on his craft he deserve the Best
If any Rookie deserves to when DPOTY of the year in thier first season, it's this young man !!
🔥 👽 ✨️
Wembanyama should be DPOTY no question. You can't grant an individual award to Rudy Gobert based on his team's collective defensive effort. Wemby crushed the solo defensive stats. Lining them up against Rudy's ends up making the vet look like the rookie, he's a top defender no doubt, but this shouldn't even be a debate.
“i think you’re the best overall defender in the nba right now” but also “im still debating between you and rudy” 😂
My first ringer video. 👽 brought me here
I'm glad Victor managed to beat even our huge expectations, from a French casual fan who's known about him since he was 15 and came to see him play once last year. I did not really believe the hype built up by the bigger fans who knew about him since he was 13 and watched his junior national team games. We had too many disappointments with Ntilikina, Hayes or Doumbouya. Victor is the real deal and even more than that! Bilal is also far exceeding expectations! We have a great duo in the making, I hope they can play in the same NBA team too, to build up even more chemistry.
feel ya frere , nanterre fam !
All NBA 2nd or 3rd? Yes, please!
He's so philosophical, such a French way of looking at things. Plus just being amazing and humble in his own right
he's wise beyond his years and who says their best moment of the past year is receiving a call from their grandmother? just love his approach to life and the way he carries himself.
Bros English has improved in 10 months more than Embiid in 12 years
That's cause Victor reads all the time and is very intelligent. Embiid doesn't look like a bright fella.
@@dimitrijetucovic1307that’s gotta be racist
@@boneless9311 cope
Why? Is embiid black?
@@dimitrijetucovic1307i'm french and wemby learn english since young
VICTOR'S IQ IS INSANELY HIGH!!!#1
I'VE BEEN A LOYAL $PUR$ FAN SINCE 1977,I HAVE NEVER SEEN A ROOKIE THE DAMAGE VICTOR HAS DONE TO VETERAN PLAYERS. #1
I designed 5 VICTOR TSHIRTS AND THEY ARE 1 OF 1 WICKED LOOKING TSHIRTS. $PUR$ FOR LIFE.1977 AND STILL!!!
At the end of the day I’m just a human or am I 😂😂😂
15:16 is so subtly funny sometimes. He is so respectful, but he be throughing shade on the low 😂😂😂
great interview! i love how wemby seems so grounded for someone we all hype up so much
THIS IS FRENCH FINEST GEMS WE GIVE IT TO YOU AMERICA !
Excellent, biggest interview of your career!
Great interview! But, “no 7-footer has been a 50/40/90 guy….”
We forgetting Dirk this quickly?? The original 50/40/90 big man
Did he say it's never been done before? I thought he just said that it doesn't happen often
Surprisingly, Dirk only had 1 50/40/90 season. I thought he had more.
yeah I was confused by that, too lazy to double check but I thought Dirk was known for that
❤ Love this young man. I sure hope he stays a Spur his whole career. 🤞
My favorite nerd, and also Kevin!
😂😂
Well done intetview, we want more WEMBY. Future GOAT.
Kevin looks doll sized when the frame shows both of them lol. Victor is a HUGE human.
or….is he?
We need more KOC interviews, this is great!
I’m certainly cheering for Wemby in the upcoming Olympics. Stay healthy, kid.
I like how Wemby believes his biggest defensive weakness is actually ending the possession after he gets the block…and he already leads the league in retention after a block.
But realistically it’s getting beat on the perimeter by fast guards
I’m a Warriors fan, but I love Wemby 😭
This is your coming out! No shame 😅
I’m glad we got somebody. I was worried for the league after Bron, Steph and KD
Like all the other greats , Wemby is adding a special layer to the NBA. Great season ROTY & DPOY in my opinion
Great in-depth interview. It was great to hear Vic's genuine thoughts, feelings and ideas, just felt like very straight forward and honest answers. Confident without being arrogant and really wants to get better.
Absolutely love this. I can’t wait for next season.
FINALLLY WHAT I BEEN WAITING FOR!!!
Tremendous interview! Wemby is a special special dude..
This is awesome!
Absolutely enjoyed this interview.
Great interview Kevin! Congrats
Can't wait to watch this!
amazing interview, ty to you and wemby
Great interview! Thank you KOC! Now, I believe, Victor is my favourite player in the league!
Geez... I've never heard anyone said "... with such a small basketball"
And nice jacket on Wemby. Got to get one for my husband.
F yeah my man we already love this guy here in SA
Go spurs Go
I feel like i havent seen kevin oconner in forever, glad to see you again man
Amazing interview! Wemby is really special...
What a legend. The Spurs are the most lucky, fortunate franchise to get this guy. I just kept staring at his hands. They do not seem real! Please oh please oh please stay healthy 🤞❤️🙏
What a treat! ❤❤❤ Great content! ..good questions and better answers! GSG!
This is the final evolution of basketball. I don’t see how anyone can ever bring more to the table than him
Kevin you are a great interviewer. Great pacing, questions, and follow ups
This it's a difetent good old soul of a kid 👍🏻👍🏻 kuddos to him & his family!!