Spurs ace Wembanyama to sit out remainder of Summer League

The San Antonio Spurs have seen enough from Victor Wembanyama in Las Vegas.

Wembanyama, the much-hyped No1 overall pick from last month’s draft, will not play in any more Summer League games this season, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

The news comes a day after the 19-year-old scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his second and final Summer League game.

In 54 minutes of Summer League action, Wembanyama totalled 36 points, 20 rebounds, three assists and eight blocks while shooting 41 percent from the field.

After playing into June in the French League playoffs, Wembanyama was never expected to play every game for the Spurs in Las Vegas and now has an opportunity to reset before looking towards his rookie NBA season.

“I’m going to sit down with the Spurs to know what the next months are going to be like,” Wembanyama said after Sunday’s game. 

“When to go on vacation, when to start back working out, where I’m going to practice, in San Antonio or somewhere else.

“I just know I’ve got two to three months - two to three great months - that are coming and they’re going to change my life.”

Wembanyama’s debut Friday garnered a sell-out crowd and one of the largest U.S. television ratings in Summer League history. Sunday’s encore was a bit more modest but still drew far more attention than a typical summer game.

NBA greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West were among those who watched Wembanyama’s first NBA exhibitions.

Touted by some as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James entered the league in 2003, Wembanyama has experienced a month-long whirlwind of media attention since travelling to the United States. 

The teenager has responded to the spotlight like a seasoned veteran, thus far, and admitted that he would rather be on the hardwood than in front of microphones.

“In the past month, I think basketball wasn’t even 50% of my schedule,” Wembanyama said. 

“I can’t stand it. I know it’s a special moment in my life, but I’m glad it’s over. Honestly. I just want to hoop. I just want to work out, lift because this is my life. Obviously, every first pick is going to go through this. And it just makes me better for the future.”

Wembanyama’s apparent humility and workmanlike attitude do not fit well with flashy Las Vegas. 

But they should pair perfectly with Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich, who signed a new five-year, $80million contract over the weekend, keeping him in San Antonio until he is 79.

“There’s something great going on, starting,” Wembanyama said of the upcoming season. “We kind of knew it was going to happen, but now it’s, ‘Let’s get it rolling. We can get started now'.”