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Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle
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- Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle
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The post Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert face off in different kind of battle appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Despite missing the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, and an opportunity to face Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert , San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama 's future remains bright. Many predict Wembanyama's trajectory to surpass Gobert's impressive achievement as a four-time Defensive Player of the Year recipient. Wembanyama was ruled out for the season due to blood clots, which took his name out of running for DPOY.
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Cleveland Cavs All-Star Evan Mobley won it, taking the crown away from Gobert, who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. However, during the offseason, Rudy Gobert found himself in a different kind of battle with Wembanyama, and it was off the basketball court, and in front of a chess board , per NBA on ESPN's X, formerly Twitter.
The two French centers were seen taking in a game of chess overseas. No word on which player won but it was cool to see two of the best defensive NBA bigs go head-to-head in a different kind of battle. Fortunately for Spurs fans, Wembanyama is expected to return for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, he revealed recently, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
"I'm officially cleared to return. It just happened — I got the green light from the Spurs' medical staff just a few hours ago (last Friday). Phew, I'll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again," Wembanyama said.
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In his second NBA season, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points on 47.6% shooting, including 35.2% from deep, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, a league-leading 3.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game last season.
Victor Wembanyama reveals his long-term Spurs plans
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Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama hopes to play his entire NBA career with the team that drafted him. The 21-year-old phenom has the potential to become one of the most dynamic centers in league history. At 7-foot-3, Wembanyama's already a dominating defender, who can score from the outside, put the ball on the floor, and attack as a 24+ point scorer after winning Rookie of the Year in 2024.
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Wembanyama hopes to only wear a Spurs uniform throughout his career , he said, per Maxine Aubin's X, formerly Twitter.
"I know that not every player in the NBA has the same ambitions, but it's obviously my dream to spend my entire career with a single franchise. Here. In San Antonio," Wembanyama said.
Between the Spurs drafting Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and acquiring Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornets via free agency, the Spurs will look to take a significant step in their growth as a young squad.
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