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☆ Victor Wembanyama: How to watch French star make highly anticipated NBA debut for San Antonio Spurs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —It’s the moment basketball fans – in particular San Antonio Spurs supporters – have been waiting for. On Wednesday night, French sensation Victor Wembanyama will play in his first NBA game when the Spurs welcome the Dallas Mavericks. Widely regarded as the most exciting NBA prospect since LeBron James, the No. One moment during the Spurs’ preseason game against the Golden State Warriors showcased this movement perfectly. 'Wemby' is the hottest NBA prospect since LeBron James.

Persons: CNN —, –, Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Frenchman, Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Wembanyama, Wiggins, Kyle Terada, Oscar –, Michel De Fautereau, he’d, Michaël Allard, Timothy A, Clary, Allard Organizations: CNN, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Warriors, Reuters, Paris University Club, Nanterre, Getty, Mavericks, ESPN Locations: France, AFP

☆ NBA 2023-24 season: How to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

So before tip-off, here is everything you need to know ahead of the new NBA season. How to watchThe 78th NBA regular season will begin on Tuesday, October 24, running until Sunday, April 14, 2024. Games will be broadcast across TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio in the US over the season, while NBA TV and NBA League Pass will broadcast games internationally. The dominant talking point of the NBA offseason was what color jersey Damian Lillard would be putting on this season. Holiday dribbles during the second half of the Celtics' preseason game against the New York Knicks.

Persons: There’s, Damian Lillard, Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Antetokounmpo, Adam Pantozzi, “ I’ve, I’ve, ’, Giannis, “, Sarah Phipps, ”, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Porziņģis, Joe Mazzulla, Maddie Meyer, –, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Durant’s, didn’t, Beal, Frank Vogel, who’s, Larry O’Brien, Ja Morant, – Kawhi Leonard, Paul George –, Zion Williamson, Victor Wembanyama, Frenchman, Wembanyama, Gregg Popovich, LeBron James, Garrett Ellwood, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, Holmgren, Scoot Henderson –, Thompson, Ausar Organizations: CNN, National Basketball Association, NBA, TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, ESPN Radio, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee, Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Lakers, Bucks, Milwaukee’s, Los Angeles Lakers, “, Oklahoma City Thunder, Eastern Conference, Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Denver, Jokić, Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, Clippers, Pelicans, Warriors, Timberwolves, Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs ’, Heat, Oklahoma City, Thunder, Summer League, Spurs, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons Locations: Las Vegas, Oregon, Boston, East, Sacramento Kings, Alamo City

Deni Avdija has agreed to a $55 million, four-year extension with the Washington Wizards, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't announced the agreement. The 22-year-old Avdija started a career-high 40 games last season and averaged 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. The agreement ahead of Monday's deadline for rookie scale extensions keeps Avdija in Washington, where he is somewhat remarkably the longest-tenured player on the Wizards. Avdija, a 6-foot-9 forward from Israel, has averaged 8.1 points in 212 career games.

Persons: Deni Avdija, hadn't, Avdija, Washington, Bradley Beal, Zach Collins Organizations: Washington Wizards, Associated Press, Wizards, San Antonio Spurs Locations: Washington, Phoenix, Israel

☆ 9 investors betting millions on the rebound in live events and entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"Live events are having a moment as consumers want to get out and about," said John Harrison, Americas Media & Entertainment lead at EY. But over the past few years, established and upstart investors have seized the opportunity to capitalize on live events spending, which is outpacing media and entertainment spending overall. PWC projects live events revenue hitting $68.7 billion in 2024, up from $66.6 billion in 2019.Insider identified nine firms, listed alphabetically, that are making significant investments in live entertainment-related companies. It most recently led a $65 million round in Dice, an events discovery and ticketing platform for live events like comedy and drag cabaret. Courtesy of Shamrock CapitalThe Los Angeles-based investment firm has a long history of backing media, entertainment, and communications businesses.

Persons: Taylor Swift, hasn't, Tait, Scott Marimow, John Harrison, there's, Harrison, Coldplay, PEHub, Bluestone Equity Partners Bobby Sharma, Michael Weschler, Bobby Sharma, Bluestone, Juggernaut, Eric Kuhn, Tre, Scott, Matt Pincus, Pincus, Marimow, Shamrock Capital Andrew Howard, Marc Geiger, Alan Waxman's Organizations: Providence Equity Partners, Yankee, Wembley, Bluestone Equity Partners, Providence, Americas Media, Entertainment, Fourier, NBA, PMY, SoFi, New York's Citi, RWS, Apple, Holland America, Capital Partners, Street Journal, Folk Media Group, CBS, Microsoft, Folk Productions, Quest Entertainment, MUSIC, Liontree, JS Capital Management, Investments, Providence Equity Partners Providence Equity Partners, Theatre Group, Shamrock Capital, Sixth, Spain's, San Antonio Spurs, New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Sixth Street Locations: Americas, Paris, Europe, Asia, Vegas, Fiume, Wilmington , Mass, Devon , Pennsylvania, Miami , Florida, North America, Providence, US, Germany, Los Angeles, SaveLive, Spain's Real Madrid, Real Madrid's

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s first win of his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs came with no fans present, no referees around and didn’t even require the use of a basketball. “I wanted to win.”Get used to that, San Antonio. They were oft-asked in recent years; then the Spurs got Wembanyama and Popovich signed for five more seasons. The Spurs won 22 games last season — the third-worst season in franchise history — and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. A simple wish, quickly granted, showed Wembanyama right away what San Antonio can be like.

Persons: — Victor Wembanyama’s, Wembanyama, ” Wembanyama, “, ”, Doug McDermott, Reggie Bullock, Wembanyama —, Bullock, “ I’ve, Thomas Bryant, Bryant, “ We’ve, we’ve, Erik Spoelstra, Spoelstra, Popovich, Heat —, ” Spoelstra, He’s, smarts, —, ” Popovich, Chet Holmgren, he’s, “ It's, Tim Reynolds, ___ Organizations: ANTONIO, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, NBA, ” Spurs, Houston, The Miami Heat, ”, Oklahoma, San Locations: San Antonio, midcourt, Chicago, Texas, France, Miami

☆ StubHub sees 60% jump in ticket sales for NBA season as international interest surges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Laya Neelakandan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Oct. 15, 2023. With the National Basketball Association season tipping off next week, StubHub sees ticket sales up nearly 60% compared to last year, with the Los Angeles Lakers returning to the top of the list as the most in-demand team. The ticket exchange's annual NBA preview breaks down the company's projections for the upcoming basketball season based on years of data, according to spokesperson Adam Budelli. Across the board, Budelli told CNBC that all teams are seeing an encouraging rise in demand this season, with international interest surging. Those international sales will be up 120% from last season, StubHub predicted, with the most popular countries attending NBA games including Australia, the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Persons: Anthony Davis, StubHub, Adam Budelli, Budelli, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama Organizations: Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Crypto.com Arena, National Basketball Association, CNBC, NBA, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs Locations: Los Angeles, Australia, United Kingdom, Brazil

☆ San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy makes nearly $1 million a year—but splits rent with a roommate and drives a Toyota SUV
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy, a captain on one of the league's two remaining undefeated teams, isn't one of them. He splits rent with one of his teammates, an offensive lineman, and drives a Toyota Sequoia SUV, he told NBC's "TODAY" last week. It has the the third-highest cost of living in the U.S., possibly contributing to Purdy's desire for a roommate. A one-bedroom apartment or condo's median monthly rent in San Francisco is $2,993 — 137% higher than the national median — according to Zillow data. And in baseball, New York Yankees star pitcher Gerrit Cole kept driving his 2006 Toyota Tacoma truck after signing a $324 million contract for a simple, logical reason: It still worked, he told NJ.com in 2021.

Persons: Brock Purdy, NBC's, Purdy, Rob Gronkowski, Gronkowski, Kawhi Leonard, Gerrit Cole, NJ.com, hasn't Organizations: National Football League, San Francisco 49ers, Toyota Sequoia, NFL, of Famer, CNBC, National Basketball Association, Sports Illustrated, San Antonio Spurs, New York Yankees, Toyota Tacoma, 49ers Locations: San Francisco, U.S

☆ NBA can shift the balance of power in media with its next rights deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Every media rights renewal for the NBA is an important event because it only happens about once a decade. But with the National Football League's media rights locked up until 2033, the NBA has a unique opportunity to play media kingmaker. CNBC first reported NBCUniversal's interest in again airing NBA games earlier this year. Carving up the piewatch nowThe NBA will have to balance demand against restricting supply to maximize the price for rights. Discovery's TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass or a regional sports network.

Persons: Jimmy Butler, Jamal Murray, Justin Edmonds, clamor, John Skipper, Ted Sarandos, Netflix hasn't, We've, Sarandos, that's, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, Jeff Kravitz, That's, Serbian Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, It's, Peacock, Michael Jordan, Discovery's Max, Aurelien Meunier, Kevin Durant Organizations: Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena, Getty, Basketball, Comcast, Google, Apple, Netflix, YouTube, NBA, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, National Football, ESPN, Global, Slovenian Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, NBCUniversal, NBC, CNBC, U.S, Metropolitans, Nielsen, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, Twitter Locations: Denver , Colorado, NBCUniversal, Hollywood , California, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Slovenian, Serbian, Levallois, Perret, U.S

☆ NBA suspends player accused of exposing himself to sports psychologist
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Kevin Dotson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“Following that process, the league found that Primo engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women. The Spurs terminated Primo’s contract last October in the wake of allegations made against him by a former sports psychologist, who was under contract with the team. The psychologist alleges the player exposed himself to her during therapy sessions. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office told CNN the case is still under review. Primo has not played in the NBA since his release by the Spurs.

Persons: Joshua Primo, “ Primo, ”, Primo, Primo’s Organizations: CNN, National Basketball Association, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, Sheriff’s, Attorney’s Office, NBA Locations: Bexar County (, Bexar County

Major League Baseball was the first to open its coffers to private-investment funds in 2019; a slew of other leagues followed, including the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer and the National Hockey League. A big participant in that is Sixth Street Partners, a $74 billion behemoth, known historically for its direct lending and growth prowess, and has been making big inroads in the sports world in recent years, with several billion dollars' worth of investments. The firm recently co-founded Bay FC, part of the National Women's Soccer League, alongside several retired players, as well as Sheryl Sandberg. Sixth Street also made investments in FC Barcelona's LaLiga TV broadcasting rights and a majority investment in Legends, a sports and entertainment experiences company. In June 2021, Sixth Street led a strategic investment with Michael Dell in the San Antonio Spurs basketball team.

Persons: Carlyle, David Rubenstein, Sheryl Sandberg, Michael Dell, Alan Waxman, what's, it's, Waxman Organizations: Alpha, CNBC, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, National Hockey League, Sixth Street Partners, Bay FC, National Women's Soccer League, Sixth, FC Barcelona's LaLiga, San Antonio Spurs basketball, Spanish soccer, Real Madrid Locations: U.S, Spanish

☆ Argentina men's basketball team miss out on Olympics berth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In February, Argentina were left out of the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 41 years after losing to the Dominican Republic in their final Americas qualifier. "It was a great experience for many of our youngsters, I think the team competed as it should have. It was not enough for us to win, but I think they gave an example of how the group wants to become a great team," Prigioni added. The South Americans had not missed an Olympics since Sydney 2000 and were once a power in world basketball. The World Cup is scheduled from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 and will be co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Persons: Pablo Prigioni, Deandre, Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield, Prigioni, Manu Ginobili, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: FIBA Olympic, FIBA, Americas, Argentine, NBA, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, South, Sydney, San Antonio Spurs, Athens Olympics, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Bahamas, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Europe, United States, Athens, London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico City

☆ Dirk Nowitzki: On eve of Hall of Fame induction, NBA legend says his daughter is ‘mostly embarrassed’ about ‘hoopla’ surrounding her dad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —On the eve of his Hall of Fame induction, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki has said that his daughter is “mostly embarrassed” about any “hoopla” surrounding her dad. Alongside the German, two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol, four-time NBA champion Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Dwyane Wade and the 1976 U.S. Olympic Women’s basketball team, among others, will be inducted. However, at a press conference on Tuesday, Nowitzki admitted that his impending inauguration has not yet fully resonated with his children. Nowitzki scored 35,223 points across 21 seasons in Dallas, playing 1,667 games for the only NBA team he ever featured for – only John Stockton played more games for one team across his career. His crowning moment arguably came in 2011 when he led the Mavs to the NBA title, the organization’s first and only championship in its history.

Persons: Dirk Nowitzki, Pau, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Dwyane Wade, Nowitzki, “, Papa, they’re, LM Otero, John Stockton, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić Organizations: CNN, of Fame, Dallas Mavericks, basketball’s Hall of Fame, Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs, Olympic, YouTube, NBA, American Airlines Center, Mavericks Locations: North Texas, Dallas

☆ Victor Wembanyama scores nine points on shaky San Antonio Spurs debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

However, it’s fair to say the reality of ‘Wemby’s’ Spurs debut didn’t quite match the expectation as the 19-year-old finished with just nine points on 15.4% shooting in the Spurs’ 76-68 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Wembanyama acknowledged it was a difficult first night for him but called his debut a “special moment.”“It was really special to wear that jersey for the first time,” Wembanyama said. 3 pick in the draft, made his Portland Trail Blazers debut in an enthralling game against the Houston Rockets. Scoot Henderson impressed on his Portland Trail Blazers debut but was forced off with an injury. Injury permitting, next up for these teams is an intriguing clash between Henderson and Wembanyama as the Trail Blazers take on the Spurs on Sunday.

Persons: LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Wemby’s, Brandon Miller, Wembanyama, ” Wembanyama, “ It’s, I’m, Miller, Scoot Henderson, Jabari Smith Jr, Tari, Smith Jr, Ethan Miller, Henderson, Jonah Herscu Organizations: CNN, NBA, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, ”, Hornets, Frenchman, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Rockets, Getty, Blazers, ESPN, Injury Locations: Portland

☆ Victor Wembanyama Gets Introduction to N.B.A. Fame and Game in Las Vegas
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Tania Ganguli | More About Tania Ganguli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The walls around Victor Wembanyama, as he sat for a news conference Friday night at the Thomas and Mack Center, were plastered with images of past winners of the Las Vegas Summer League tournament. The summer league debuted the year after James’s rookie season, so its first marquee rookie was Dwight Howard, the top pick in 2004. As Wembanyama spoke with reporters, a picture of a smiling Howard could be seen on a wall to his right. The closest real comparison is to James’s entry into the league in 2003. Wembanyama had just finished his debut performance in a Spurs jersey, when he scored nine points with eight rebounds, three assists and five blocks.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Wembanyama, Howard Organizations: Thomas, Mack Center, Las Vegas Summer League, “ Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs Locations: Victor

☆ Britney Spears Seeks Apology After Encounter With Victor Wembanyama’s Security
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Santul Nerkar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The singer Britney Spears asked for an apology on Thursday after accusing a member of a star N.B.A. player’s security detail of striking her in the face outside a Las Vegas restaurant when she tried to greet the player, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Spears said that she was still waiting for an apology from the player, his security and his team. He is expected to play in the N.B.A.’s summer league starting Friday in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not respond to an email request for comment.

Persons: Britney Spears, Victor Wembanyama, Spears, ”, “ Organizations: San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Locations: Las Vegas

☆ San Antonio Spurs unveil No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama at welcome party in the city
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Issy Ronald | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The city of San Antonio has big expectations for Victor Wembanyama. 1 NBA draft pick emerged from a private plane on Friday, and the welcome party has lasted all weekend. “The last 72 hours have been really tiring but I’m really enjoying the moment,” the 7-foot-4 Frenchman told reporters on Saturday. He enjoyed dinner on Friday night with NBA champions and San Antonio Spurs legends Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Manu Ginobili. “It’s so comforting to see these people who are so important to the city of San Antonio and to the franchise are such kind people and generous.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, “, I’m, Frenchman, I’ve, ”, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, ” Wembanyama, They’ve, It’s, ove, eason Organizations: CNN, NBA, San Antonio Spurs Locations: San Antonio

June 22 (Reuters) - Victor Wembanyama was selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs at the NBA Draft in New York on Thursday, making the highly touted phenom the highest drafted French player in league history. Wembanyama shed tears of joy after he heard his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "I've accomplished something that I've been dreaming of my whole life," he said. He is dangerous shooting the ball from distance and athletic enough to rebound and dunk his own misses if necessary. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Adam Silver, I've, Wembanyama, Rory Carroll, Christopher Cushing Organizations: San Antonio Spurs, NBA, Thomson Locations: New York, Los Angeles

☆ 2023 NBA draft: How to watch the next wave of basketball talent find their new teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —It marks the dawn of a new generation of basketball talent; the NBA draft is here and its more exciting than ever. How to watchThe 2023 NBA draft takes place on Thursday, June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. To see who is selected by which team, fans can watch the draft on ABC, ESPN or via the NBA league pass. Two-time NBA MVP Jokić is what all general managers are stiving for, a late round pick who blossoms into a superstar player. First round draft orderHere is who will pick where in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft:1.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, Wembanayama, he’s, “, ”, ” Wembanyama, Wembanyama, Gregg Popovich, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson, Henderson, Miller –, Miller, Damian Lillard, Lillard, Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Amen Thompson, Dale Zanine, Cam Whitmore, Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks, Nikola Jokić, Jokić Organizations: CNN, NBA, Barclays Center, ABC, ESPN, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, Morning, of Fame, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, AP, City, G League, City Reapers, USA, Sports, Reuters, Villanova, UCF, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, . Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers Locations: Brooklyn , New York, Europe, “ San Antonio, “, Morning America, San Antonio, Alabama, LaMelo, Portland, Houston, Serbian

☆ Victor Wembanyama Drafted No. 1 Overall by San Antonio Spurs
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Tania Ganguli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Victor Wembanyama had grown up in the suburbs of Paris dreaming about this moment since he was 12 years old. He had long felt as though he was different from everyone else, as though he could be great — and not just in basketball. The San Antonio Spurs selected Wembanyama No. 1 overall in Thursday’s N.B.A. “One of the best feelings of my life,” Wembanyama, 19, said.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, He’d, Wembanyama, ” Wembanyama, “, I’ve Organizations: San Antonio Spurs, Barclays Center Locations: Paris, N.B.A, Brooklyn

CNN —Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 Frenchman who some NBA commentators think could be a generational talent, was the No. 1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Draft on Thursday night. “It’s a tough league,” Wembanyama told draft broadcaster ESPN through tears after he was selected. G-League player Scoot Henderson, a 6-foot-2 guard, was the third pick, going to the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-foot-7 brothers are the first siblings to be picked in the top five (or top 10, even) of the NBA Draft in the same year.

Persons: CNN — Victor Wembanyama, Frenchman, – David Robinson, Tim Duncan, ” Wembanyama, “, Adam Silver, Wembanyama, LeBron James, we’ll, Victor, ”, Gregg Popovich, “ He’s, James, Duncan, Bryant, He’s Victor, that’s, I’ve, Wembanyama’s, Bilal Coulibaly, Washington, Jarace Walker, Brandon Miller, Miller, “ I’m, Scoot Henderson, “ They’re, Amen Thompson, Ausar, Jalen, we’ve, Ausar Thompson, FaceTime, Marcus, Markieff Morris, Robin Lopez, Kris Murray, Keegan Organizations: CNN, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, of Fame, ESPN, Levallois Metropolitans, Mets, ” Spurs, Wembanyama, Indiana, University of Houston, Pacers, Hornets, SEC, Charlotte Hornets, University of Alabama, Southeastern Conference, Portland Trail Blazers, “, NBA.com Twins, Houston Rockets, Rockets, Detroit Pistons, University of Iowa, Sacramento Kings Locations: Kobe, San Antonio, Washington, Alabama, Atlanta

☆ All eyes on projected top pick Wembanyama ahead of NBA Draft
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

June 21 (Reuters) - When it comes to the 2023 NBA Draft, there is Victor Wembanyama and then there is everyone else. A so-called generational talent who can quickly change the trajectory of a franchise, Wembanyama is the most anticipated and hyped NBA Draft prospect since LeBron James, the league's all-time leading scorer, in 2003. I've never seen anything quite like him on a basketball floor," ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas said on a conference call. The Charlotte Hornets own the second pick in the NBA Draft while the Portland Trail Blazers are set to pick third overall. There will be 58 picks across two rounds in the 2023 NBA Draft instead of the usual 60 because Philadelphia and Chicago forfeited a second-round pick due to violating rules governing free agency discussions.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, Wembanyama, LeBron James, I've, Jay Bilas, Antonio, Basketball Hall of Famers David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Duncan, San, James, Everybody's, LeBron, We've, Frank Pingue, Ken Ferris Organizations: San Antonio Spurs, NBA, ESPN, Basketball Hall of Famers, Spurs, Metropolitans, French League, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia, Chicago, Thomson Locations: San Antonio, Toronto

☆ Victor Wembanyama: Excitement builds for NBA draft as projected top pick lands in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( George Ramsay | Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Not since LeBron James was drafted 20 years ago has there been this much excitement about an NBA prospect – as shown by the crowds eagerly awaiting Frenchman Victor Wembanyama’s arrival in the United States. 1 overall pick in this week’s NBA draft, landed at Newark International Airport outside New York City on Monday, where he was greeted by fans seeking selfies and autographs. Victor Wembanyama arrives for the #NBADraft Presented by State Farm 🇫🇷✈️🇺🇸📅 Thursday, June 22, 8pm/et on ABC/ESPN pic.twitter.com/rBXDttMoDJ — NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2023“I don’t know how they knew what flight I was on, but it’s fun,” Wembanyama said about the crowds greeting him at the airport. “My mind is really focused on these finals for the last couple of weeks and it’s now going to go so quickly,” he recently told reporters about the prospect of the NBA draft. “There’s a lot going on and I have a lot to plan with my family and my agents, the draft is in a week so there’s a lot going through my mind, so I just feel lucky to be able to live through all this.”

Persons: LeBron James, –, Frenchman Victor Wembanyama’s, selfies, Victor Wembanyama, abou, ike, ros, ” Organizations: CNN, NBA, Newark International, Barclays Center, State Locations: United States, New York City, Brooklyn

☆ A Subway Ride With Victor Wembanyama to Yankee Stadium
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Tania Ganguli | Desiree Rios | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was a rather unremarkable Tuesday at Central Park West and Columbus Circle. A light breeze rustled the sycamore branches hanging over a bicycle rental kiosk filled with neat rows of mint green helmets. Then, at 4:41 p.m., a black Mercedes van crept through the jam of buses, police vehicles and flower-adorned bicycle cabs. He was on his way to Yankee Stadium to throw the ceremonial first pitch for Tuesday night’s game with Seattle. But before that, he wanted to try something he had never done: ride the New York City subway.

Persons: Mercedes van, “ It’s Victor Wembanyama, Wembanyama, LeBron James Organizations: Central Park West, Columbus, Barclays Center, San Antonio Spurs, Yankee, Seattle, New Locations: Brooklyn, New York City

☆ N.B.A. Draft Preview: After Victor Wembanyama, Watch for These Players
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( David Gardner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The only mystery surrounding the top pick in this year’s N.B.A. On May 16, the San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery, giving them the opportunity — or, perhaps more aptly, the obligation — to select Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 French superstar, is perhaps the most-hyped N.B.A. Within his eight-foot wingspan, Wembanyama has just about every skill N.B.A. “There is no better environment for him than the Spurs,” said Jonathan Givony, a draft analyst for ESPN.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Wembanyama, ”, Jonathan Givony Organizations: San Antonio Spurs, Spurs, ESPN

☆ The Nuggets Almost Won a Title in 1976. Denver Can Make History Now.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Tania Ganguli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That season, the Nuggets packed their new McNichols Arena, which opened in 1975, with the pending N.B.A. The Nuggets played the Kentucky Colonels in the first round of the playoffs and won in seven games. Facing elimination at home in Game 5, they won despite 37 points from Erving. If they could force a Game 7 in Denver, they were sure they could win it. But Erving led a furious fourth-quarter comeback in Game 6 to win the game and the championship.

Persons: Gerard, “, ” Gerard, ” Terry, Terry, Erving, Simpson, Issel Organizations: Nuggets, Colorado Mine Company, Nets, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Kentucky Colonels, New York Nets, Denver Locations: Erving, Denver

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