Former NBA star Jamal Crawford has showered praise on San Antonio Spurs Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, highlighting his exceptional talent and boundless potential.
“We go back to earlier this season when we had him on the show. He had been doing some crazy moves so I asked him if he could do this particular move and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been doing that for years.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, OK,’” Crawford shared on the Dan Patrick Show, via Hector Ledesma of ClutchPoints.
Crawford reminisced about their interactions, recalling moments when he showcased advanced basketball moves to Wembanyama during the All-Star weekend.
“I showed him a wrap-around move where he wraps around his body; it’s only reserved for tall guards, guys with long arms that could pull this off. I thought he could take it to the next level,” Crawford explained.
He noted how Wembanyama captured the attention of other rookies and sophomores on the court, indicating the young player’s magnetic presence and skill.
“All the other rookies, sophomores on the court – all the attention, they stopped shooting, they went over there. I’m like, ‘Ok, let’s just keep this surface level because everybody’s watching right now,’” Crawford added.
Crawford emphasized Wembanyama’s versatility, underscoring his ability to excel in various positions on the court.
“You can use him bringing up the ball, you can use him in the mid post area, you can use him in the post area. He can shoot transition threes and do everything in between so I understand Pop [Gregg Popovich] and those guys’ thinking because you just don’t know exactly what you have until you have it and, even then, he can stretch the imagination,” he said.
Wembanyama’s impressive rookie campaign included averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game for the Spurs.
His stellar performance earned him the prestigious Rookie of the Year award, solidifying his status as a rising star in the NBA.
