Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III weighs in on the Holmgren vs. Wembanyama debate
The upcoming season will see two promising up-and-coming 7-footers debut in the NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama.
Holmgren was the second pick last year and missed the entire year after suffering a Lisfranc injury in a pro-am game. Meanwhile, Wembanyama was the top pick by the Spurs last month after a sensational year in France with Metropolitans 92.
The two players have similar frames and can handle the ball, shoot and protect the paint. They each have plenty of hype surrounding their pending debuts and represent a key piece of their teams’ success next year and beyond.
Their arrival in the NBA has sparked plenty of conversation.
Recently, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III joined Allie Clifton, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson on the “Road Trippin'” podcast to discuss the two players.
Murphy would take Holmgren at this point in their careers.
Chet has a little bit of grit to him. You can tell he isn’t soft, that is the easiest way to say this. He plays with a sort of tenacity that bigs need. Then also, he is very skilled; he is a little more polished than Victor is. I feel like he will shoot the ball better.
Who you taking for one year, Chet or Wemby? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/p2bqwVIujk
— Road Trippin’ Show🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) July 26, 2023
Holmgren is fresh off a strong showing in summer league, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, two assists and one steal in four games between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He finished his stay in the desert with 25 points, nine rebounds and five blocks on July 12.
Wembanyama debuted with the Spurs on July 7 in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He had an uneven first game but responded with a 27-point, 12-rebound effort two nights later and showed what made him so highly touted entering the NBA draft.
Though they haven’t met in the NBA, they previously squared off in the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Holmgren scored 10 points as the U.S. topped Wembanyama and France for the gold medal. Wembanyama had a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks.
Certainly, the basketball community will be locked into their first game against each other next season as the two players project to have long careers ahead.
