The San Antonio Spurs have had the No. 1 overall pick twice in the past three decades, drafting Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and Tim Duncan in 1997.
We do not yet know if Wembanyama is going to accomplish what Duncan was able to do during his professional career. But what we do know is that these two big men had nearly identical stats during their NBA debuts, which is amazing.
Wembanyama recorded 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, also adding two assists for the Spurs during a loss against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Wednesday night. When he first stepped on an NBA court in 1997, for what it is worth, Duncan did the exact same thing.
Wild 😳
(h/t @EmilianoNaiar8) pic.twitter.com/1YQGzV2Lxh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 26, 2023
Duncan also recorded ten rebounds and two blocks while securing a victory against the Mavericks when he made his NBA Debut. Wembanyama had just one block and five rebounds in a home loss.
But it is still worth acknowledging the uncanny similarities in their games.
We asked prospects at the 2023 NBA Draft to name a starting five that could save the planet. 🏀 They were allowed to pick themselves.
Here is what San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama told us. pic.twitter.com/OXBJjrlq2E— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 23, 2023
Before the 2023 NBA Draft, we asked Wembanyama to name his all-time starting five. Wembanyama included Duncan among his starters even before the Spurs called his name with the No. 1 overall pick.
After the draft, the big man posted a photo of himself hanging with Duncan (as well as David Robinson, Sean Elliott and Manu Ginobili) and called them his “role models” in the caption.
Couldn’t ask for better role models 🖤 pic.twitter.com/lcw7cvbeTt
— Wemby (@wemby) June 25, 2023
