We’re still several months away from the 2023 NBA Draft, but it’s already pretty clear among the NBA circles that 7-foot-4 do-it-all player Victor Wembanyama out of France will be the top pick in the draft while explosive 6-foot-3 guard Scoot Henderson will be the draft’s No. 2 overall pick. Apparently, even Wembanyama agrees with that projection.
The two players met on the court for the first time on Monday night as Wembanyama and his French club Metropolitans 92 took on Henderson and his NBA G League Ignite squad in a prime-time showdown broadcast nationally on ESPN2. After the game, Wembanyama had a strong compliment for Henderson – and also himself, too.
Presumed No. 1 2023 draft pick Victor Wembanyama on presumed No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson: "He’s really a great player. If I was never born, I think he would deserve the first spot.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 3, 2022
“He’s really a great player. If I was never born, I think he would deserve the first spot,” Wembanyama said after the game according to NBA writer Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
It was quite a wild quote that certainly caught the attention of the NBA world, who offered a number of reactions on Twitter.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/lOGm3gg6ze
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 3, 2022
Honestly an incredible quote https://t.co/lX7d9g0UgW
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 3, 2022
The Jazz just traded another player after hearing that quote https://t.co/aGQ5D3nVJI
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) October 3, 2022
Just saying, Spurs fans shouldn't be upset with the second overall pick either. https://t.co/ccgJAvJ4AQ
— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) October 3, 2022
Frame this. Or blend it up and feed it to your team. That's GOAT energy. Hahahahahahaha, amazing. https://t.co/F2u4suTxmY
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 4, 2022
What an absolute legend. https://t.co/fCois8vo8B
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 3, 2022
This is the new version of I'm built different lol https://t.co/uGvxVpCGLp
— Cyrus Smith (@CoolCyWrites) October 3, 2022
While the comments do raise some eyebrows, Wembanyama certainly isn’t wrong. Henderson is a generational talent who would likely be the No. 1 overall pick any other year. But he’s just not going to be selected over a 7-foot-4 player with a guard’s skill set.
