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‘It feels special’: Victor Wembanyama reacts to playing Rudy Gobert for first time

cody taylor
·3 min read
7

Victor Wembanyama had the opportunity to face fellow countryman Rudy Gobert on Friday, and the No. 1 pick called it a special moment to play him for the first time in the NBA.

Wembanyama shined in the meeting, too.

The 7-footer produced 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks to lead the San Antonio Spurs in the 117-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became the first Spurs rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 with 25 points and four blocks in a game.

Gobert countered with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Wembanyama looked to Gobert as a mentor of sorts while growing up in France. They have been friends over the years and have kept in touch through their journeys.

“It feels special,” Wembanyama said of facing Gobert. “I know, every night, there are going to be one or two guys who are going to be special to play against. It is even more (special) since it is someone who has tried to take care of me and teach me.”

The two players met at center court and swapped jerseys after the contest. Wembanyama still had it with him upon meeting with the media for his postgame press conference, a sign of how important Gobert has been for his development.

Gobert is happy to see Wembanyama doing well in the early going.

I try to give him as much advice as I can because people don’t realize … there are not a lot of 7-footers that last in the NBA. His approach, his dedication, the work that he puts in, the work he put in the last three months since the draft is paying off. I saw a big difference from between summer league and preseason.

You can tell he was in the gym, and not just in the gym, but he was doing the right thing. It’s hard to imagine what it’s going to be — and he will — after a couple of years of working like he’s doing. I can’t even imagine how he’s going to evolve.

Wembanyama helped the Spurs cut an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter down to six points with four minutes to play. He produced 13 points in the period as the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves by 10 points, but the effort wasn’t enough.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was pleased with the effort of his team to battle back. The group came up short in the end, but the 19-year-old earned praise from his mentor for the performance.

“He lives for those moments,” Gobert said. “He is a competitor. He is a winner. The way he works, his mindset, the way he studies the game, and you add that to the unique physical tools that he has, he is a unique player. I don’t think we’re going to see someone like that for a while.”

Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire