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