21 April 2023 , 22:08
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One of the biggest basketball prospects to emerge since LeBron James has officially declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, as Victor Wembanyama submitted paperwork to the league office on Friday.
The 19-year-old is already extremely well known in the world having gone viral on multiple occasions as he showcased the skills for Metropolitans 92 in France, skills which have NBA franchises drooling at the prospect of landing the teenager.
The Frenchman is already considered a generational talent and is widely projected to be the no.1 pick in June's Draft, so it was always a matter of when, not if, he would declare. And there is now huge anticipation as to where the seven-foot-four athlete will end up after dominating in his native league even before making it out of his teenage years.
"It's been a year with so much good news for me, so first of all I want to thank everyone who's been a part of that journey from coaches to family," Wembanyama said on NBA Today. "And I'm really excited to announce that I'm going to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft, so I hope it's big news!"
The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 15, which will reveal the team that secures the first overall pick - and most likely Wembanyama. It's always a huge occasion, but the lottery this year will certainly be one of the biggest jackpots yet due to the promise shown by the Frenchman.
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Back in January, Wembanyama stated that he would be happy regardless of what team he signs for first, stating that there is "no bad organisation" in the NBA. "I am not worried; there is no bad organisation. I never tell myself I don't like to go there," Wembanyama said to ESPN.
"Every organisation is so careful about their players that there's no wrong destination." Right now, Wembanyama is just excited for what is ahead in his career, and declaring for the NBA Draft is still settling in for the youngster.
"Declaring for the draft ... it's something crazy I'm not realising yet," Wembanyama added. "I realised pretty young I wanted to play in the NBA but it becomes a reality more every day. I'm so lucky to have this dream within the reach of my hand."
Wembanyama is ready to take the NBA by storm (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)Wembanyama has been focusing on getting 'NBA-ready' ever since making the conscious decision, and is already focused on his rookie season. "I've been working more than ever on my body with my personal trainer Guillaume [Alquier]," Wembanyama said.
"I'm ready to go over all sorts of obstacles. So far it's worked pretty well. I haven't missed a game yet. I've been there for my guys every game.
"There's so many games in a NBA season. It's hard to play all 82 games, some players are built a certain way. Others got to rest. My goal is to play the most games I can, and help my team as much as I can."