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LeBron James, past Rookie of the Year winners deliver powerful Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama message
Image credit: ClutchPoints

Expectations were sky-high when Victor Wembanyama was projected to go as the top pick of last year’s draft. It got even higher once it was known that he would be taken care of in the San Antonio Spurs system with Gregg Popovich still leading the way. Now, he has more than surpassed those expectations and notched his first piece of hardware, the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Typically, winners just get a tweet or an interview. For a generational prospect, it had legends from Shaquille O’Neal to LeBron James greeting the new member of their club.

A pleasant surprise for the Rookie of the Year winner

Apr 12, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after drawing a foul during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Fanatics came out to surprise Victor Wembanyama after he won the Rookie of the Year award. The Spurs rookie thought he was just going to see some limited edition memorabilia along with some new products of the brand. However, that was not the only thing that was in store for him. NBA legends  Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, Pau Gasol, David Robinson, LeBron James, Grant Hill, and Jason Kidd among others had to show their love.

“Hey, Victor! I just wanted to say congratulations on a fantastic rookie season. To watch you come in with all the hype and all the talk. You’ve lived up to it,” Grant Hill declared.

It is not often he does this but Shaquille O’Neal was making big declarations about the star’s future too, “High expectations. You’ve met all the expectations. You will, when it’s all said and done, be one of the greatest big men ever.”

Jason Kidd could not even forget how lethal of a shot blocker the Spurs rookie is, “Leading the league in blocked shots, changed shots. Man, you have set the bar so high.”

One of Gregg Popovich’s legendary mentees, David Robinson, also had to give his flowers, “You’ve represented the Spurs, you’ve represented yourself, you’ve represented, everybody. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

“Even before you got into the league, I got a chance to that you put in day in and day out. I know, without a doubt, you are going to have an unbelievable career. But, I wish you let me get one of my middies off sooner or later over you,” Chris Paul said.

“Yo, what’s up, Wemby? I just want to say congratulations to you, man. Happy to have you part of this beautiful league. Keep doing you. Keep getting better. Rookie of the Year! Well deserved. This is just the beginning. Love, bro,” LeBron James exclaimed.

“Welcome to the Rookie of the Year club!” Kevin Durant said.

Victor Wembanyama’s Chapter 1: closed

Apr 12, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after a victory over the Denver Nuggets at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, a lot of speculation was still going on about how long before Gregg Popovich’s Spurs got him to adapt to the league. Now, it is not even a question. The narrative shifts to if he gets to usurp people like Michael Jordan or LeBron James in NBA history.

To that, all fans can ever do is wait. They might as well enjoy the ride in what will be one of the greatest careers to ever unfold in human history.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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