3 San Antonio Spurs that have All-Star potential

The dawn of a new age for the San Antonio Spurs has begun and fans are ready to emerge from the desolate sands of despair like the characters in a Dune novel. Their time spent as a bottom-feeding team seems to be coming to an end and it may come faster than you think. The growth of the young players on this team is undeniable, leading observers to wonder how high some of these guys will be able to reach.

When reflecting on the Big Three, it is easy to forget that Tim Duncan was the only member to reach the All-Star game year after year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili made a few appearances, but they were often overlooked because the Spurs system left them without inflated stats. It can be difficult to shine bright enough to earn recognition in an immensely talented Western Conference, but there are certainly a few players with All-Star potential on the roster.

1.) Victor Wembanyama

There would be cause to place Air Alamo on trial for not including the most obvious selection here, so let's get him out of the way. Victor Wembanyama has the skillset to impact the game in so many areas that it will be virtually impossible for him not to eventually make an All-Star team. A player standing 7-foot-3 who can handle, pass, shoot, finish, and anchor a defense is hard to ignore. The biggest key for Wemby will be his influence on San Antonio winning ball games.

The second significant factor is the global recognition the French standout has already received. The fans account for 50% of the votes tallied to choose which players start in the All-Star game, making it a glorfied popularity contest. Yao Ming only suited up for five games during the 2010-11 season, but he still made the All-Star team because of the overwhelming support he received from Chinese fans. While the fan vote held more weight back then, a massive global fanbase could help Wemby's cause.

2.) Jeremy Sochan

Jeremy Sochan is an interesting selection, but his inclusion is multi-faceted. Though Sochan is also a foreign-born prospect who can generate global appeal, it's his in-your-face playstyle that will catapult him into the spotlight. The Polish forward already has compilations dedicated to him being a nuisance on the court and refusing to back down from established stars. Wembanyama's arrival will bring more nationally televised games for the Spurs, and that means more eyes will be on Sochan. He can quickly become a fan favorite across the NBA.

Of course, players need more than antics to make the All-Star roster, so it's a good thing the former Baylor Bear has a versatile game. Sochan can defend one through four and he is an integral piece to maintaining the fluidity of the offense. As a Boris Diaw-style playmaker from the forward position, he has great vision and can consistently set up his teammates. He needs to polish his scoring repertoire, but Sochan has already shown he will do anything to improve, including resorting to one-handed free throws.

3.) Devin Vassell

Devin Vassell's rise to recognition is going to be all gas, no brakes. If he wants to become an All-Star at some point, then he is going to have to gain entry purely from his basketball skills. As an American player who went to Florida State, he lacks the global appeal Wemby and Sochan have. Fortunately for him, he has all the tools one needs to make the leap into stardom. Vassell has gradually added muscle to his once-slender frame, and that will serve him well on both ends of the court.

The defense Vassell can provide in a guard-heavy Western Conference will assist his case for a Most Improved Player of the Year nomination, but his offense will be the true catalyst. Watching the 6-foot-5 swingman handle the rock is poetry in motion. His game is as smooth as a freshly shaved head, and those aesthetics matter to basketball fans. Devin's production has improved each season. If he stays on that trajectory, you may not see his face on the side of a Wheaties box, but you'll certainly see him donning a Western Conference All-Star jersey.