Leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft, it was still a mystery which team would end up with the summer’s biggest prize: star French prospect Victor Wembanyama. But according to Wembanyama himself, he already knew where he’d end up months in advance. In a video that is going viral on X, the star big man can be heard announcing his future with the San Antonio Spurs.
“Today is May 16th, it’s 10:00 in the morning, and I know I’m gonna get drafted to the Spurs,” said Wemby. “The Spurs are gonna get the #1 pick tonight, I’ve been knowing for months.”
— Chris Scorch (@ChrisScorch) October 28, 2023
Since Victor could have recorded the same video for every team in the league, there’s no way to verify if he genuinely foresaw his basketball future, but it hasn’t stopped Wemby from embracing his new basketball home. This week, after Wembanyama officially began his NBA career, expectations couldn’t be higher for his future and his capacity to lead the young and inexperienced Spurs.
Fans Call Out The NBA Draft Process
Wembanyama’s video was probably supposed to be nothing more than a lighthearted joke, but the idea that the NBA is rigged has become a growing narrative across the community. The origin of this movement can be traced back to at least 1985 when the NBA was accused of rigging the draft to help the Knicks pick up Patrick Ewing.
Ever since that moment, fans have been skeptical to believe that the league is totally authentic, and various events over the years have been subjected to major scrutiny. In the case of this video with Wembanyama, fans did not hesitate to theorize that the NBA made sure they got Victor Wembanyama where they wanted him.
I think we all know it was rigged including him. Rightfully so tho, the league couldn't afford him wasting his career with the rockets or hornets
— . (@GreggPopowich) October 28, 2023
Of course, you could just chalk up this whole thing to destiny. With a healthy locker room culture and heavy ties to Europe, the San Antonio Spurs were the perfect landing spot for Wembanyama and it seems like he’s really living the dream by suiting up for the Silver and Black.
destiny. pic.twitter.com/o0a69nlXDo
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) October 28, 2023
Obviously, we will never know if the NBA rigged the 2023 Draft, but the theories have some ammo now given this video from Wemby and the other examples of “rigged” moments throughout basketball history.
Here we go conspiracy theorists now have ammo 😂
Although believable rigged draft
— HumblePoom (@pdhooms) October 28, 2023
For now, the jury is still out on the authenticity of Webanyama’s prophecy but, looking back, it wasn’t all that hard to predict who would land the top pick. The Spurs were one of the worst teams in basketball last season and, consequently, they finished as one of the handful of teams with the best odds to win the lottery. So when they came out with the top pick this summer, it wasn’t something that took people by surprise. Nevertheless, the conspiracy theories will always persist.
A New Era In San Antonio
The Spurs made the playoffs for 22 years straight before the departure of Kawhi Leonard in 2018 left them without a star. During the height of their existence, the Spurs dominated the West with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Together, they won four titles over a 15-year span and are still recognized today as one of the most successful franchises in NBA history.
Now, with Wembanyama, the Spurs are trending upward once again and they have the guy they need to compete at the highest level. While the road ahead is long and mired in uncertainty, there is a sense that Wemby will take them to a special place in the West and it’s only a matter of time before he shows everyone why he was being touted as the greatest prospect since LeBron James.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
