4 French players Wembanyama should emulate in the NBA

The Spurs are well known for harvesting international talent that finds a way to shine in the NBA under the mentorship of Gregg Popovich. Many European athletes have worn the Silver and Black over the years, and Victor Wembanyama will be just the sixth French player to suit up for San Antonio.

France has produced a handful of recognizable names since basketball started becoming a global sport, and several of their homegrown stars have reached the NBA and succeeded at the highest level, paving the way for Victor Wembanyama to follow in their footsteps.

4. Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah was one of the most instrumental cogs of the best Chicago Bulls teams since the Michael Jordan era. Unfortunately, the basketball gods didn't allow him to win a championship ring in the NBA (especially after Derrick Rose's injury). Nonetheless, the French-American star still had a solid career in the association.

The Bulls selected Noah with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 Draft, and he averaged 9.0 rebounds per game during his career at shot at least 48% from the field in every season he played in the NBA. Following nine years in Chicago, injuries derailed his momentum, and his game fell apart across brief stints with the Knicks, Grizzlies, and Clippers.

Wembanyama plays the same position as Noah. He could become a defensive fortress as San Antonio's interior anchor. If the talented teenager can take some of the versatility from Joakim and apply it to his game, he could become a uniquely dominant player.

3. Rudy Gobert

Although there are a lot of characteristics Victor should avoid picking up from Rudy Gobert, like his one-dimensionality and immaturity, we cannot deny there are lessons the Wolves' center could teach that could help the young star develop his game.

Standing at around 7-foot-1, Gobert has been one of the most dominant centers in the NBA in recent years. A winner of multiple medals with the French national team, his partnership with Donovan Mitchell brought Utah closer to a title than any duo since the Karl Malone and John Stockton era.

Gobert has led the NBA in blocks and rebounding, and he is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, three-time All-Star, and four-time All-NBA honoree. Rudy has averaged 11.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game during his first decade in the NBA, where his actions away from the court have negatively impacted how fans have perceived him on the hardwood.

Wembanyama should try to emulate how Gobert has taken advantage of his height, frame, and ridiculous wingspan to dominate the game as one of the best rim protectors in league history.

2.) Boris Diaw

Boris Diaw may not have been as athletic or physically imposing as Gobert, but there is no doubt he knew how to show up in monumental moments and play the game the right way. He was an invaluable asset to his teammates, which helped him achieve the ultimate goal: an NBA Championship.

The Hawks selected Diaw with the 21st overall pick in the 2003 Draft, but he never quite worked out in Atlanta. While he won Most Improved Player of the Year with the Suns in 2006, the best version of Boris arrived after landing in San Antonio during the 2012 season.

He was one of the main sidekicks for Tony Parker on the French national team, winning four medals in EuroBasket competition and a bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup. Diaw displayed a much more refined game under the command of Pop as he maximized his playmaking and defensive versatility.

Boris Diaw understood the basics of “The Beautiful Game” and became one of the most crucial pieces to a Spurs team that won a title in 2014. He was unselfish and accepted his role as a connector, which was one of the reasons San Antonio had such immaculate ball movement.

Now it is time for Wembanyama to learn how to sacrifice personal goals for team glory and use all his skills to benefit his teammates and highlight their abilities.

1. Tony Parker

Tony Parker is the best French player to ever grace the NBA, and he set an example for Wembanyama to follow if he ever wants to achieve team success and notoriety in this league. We would list all of his accolades, but it would take an entire article to highlight the achievements of the soon-to-be Hall of Famer.

Wemby grew up a massive Tony Parker fan, and ending up on the same team as the player he idolized as a child is almost too good to be true. Parker won four championships and a Finals MVP with the Spurs, and having him as a mentor should motivate Victor to give it his all to reach the same heights as the French superstar.

Bringing Tony Parker back as someone who can show Wembanyama the ropes could be helpful for San Antonio. After all, he was once an inexperienced teenager from France who arrived stateside to play for the Spurs under the tutelage of coach Pop. Is there anyone better to help him transition to life in the NBA?

A new era of Spurs basketball will soon begin, and there is no better time for a generational prospect like Victor Wembanyama to carry the torch for all the legendary players who came before him. Perhaps he will even become the leader Parker got to be for Popovich as he tries to lead the Silver and Black into their next golden age.