Spurs already taking necessary precautions ahead of drafting Wembanyama
By Ty Jager
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The San Antonio Spurs are exercising every necessary precaution with Victor Wembanyama as they prepare to select the Parisian phenom with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
In his latest mock draft for ESPN (subscription required), Jonathan Givony reported the Spurs sent their medical staff to France to check on the generational prospect as part of their pre-draft process.
"The Spurs dispatched their medical staff to France last week to conduct their due diligence, and with that successfully out of the way, everything looks on track for him to be the No. 1 pick and start restoring the proud franchise to relevance."
News of the Spurs conducting a thorough evaluation of Wembanyama is no surprise. At 7-foot-5 and 220 pounds, players with his frame have had significant injury concerns. However, Wembanyama and his camp have worked extensively to create a routine that increases his durability. This includes a rigorous full-body warmup before practices and games that focuses on flexibility and foot strength.
Gotta learn the science behind this 😅
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 17, 2023
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/yPYuaNWTnt
The Spurs treating players with exceptional care isn't anything new. San Antonio is home to one of the most renowned medical staffs in the league, and their program extended the careers of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili until they were nearly into their 40s. While their reputation slipped following the Kawhi Leonard debacle, it hasn't stopped them from investing in a half-a-billion-dollar practice and health research facility that opens this summer.
Despite injury concerns over Wembanyama and his slender frame, the Spurs are practically a lock to make the French superstar the number one overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22. From their history of phenomenal medical treatment and the extensive fitness routine from Wembanyama, fans should be able to breathe a sigh of relief. If he can stay healthy throughout his career, Wembanyama could become one of the best players in the league.
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