SAN ANTONIO — Another French basketball star is coming to the San Antonio Spurs and the greatest French player to put on the Silver and Black jersey, Tony Parker, will always be at his side.
With Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama set to play his first regular season game Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center versus Dallas, the basketball world will be fixated on how he performs.
Many consider him a one-in-a-lifetime player with the ability to transform the Spurs franchise overnight.
That level of expectation and adjusting to the rigors of the NBA season could weigh on his 7-5 frame but Parker is making it clear: He will be there for Wembanyama whenever he needs him.
“I go to the Spurs training facility regularly," Parker said to RTL France. "He was training and preparing. We talk regularly. He knows very well that if he needs advice he can call me whenever he wants."
Parker knows exactly what is in the future for Wembanyama after spending 17 seasons in the NBA with the Spurs.
San Antonio focuses on player development, fosters a winning culture, and has a Hall of Fame coach, Gregg Popovich, set to provide Wembanyama the perfect starting point for a successful NBA career.
And according to Parker, he already has Wembanyama over to his home for dinner, and is excited for him to take the NBA by storm.
But he also preached all to exercise patience as Wembanyama takes his first NBA steps.
"I just say 'patience,' he will be successful in his NBA career, no doubt, but we have to give it time," Parker said.
As for winning titles, as Wembanyama has made abundantly clear, Parker also believes any possible Riverwalk parades will have to wait.
"Is he going to bring back any titles? This will have to wait," said Parker.
Parker believes Wembanyama can live up to the high expectations thanks to his experience playing at the highest level of basketball in France and his time playing for Parker's team, ASVEL.
In fact, he says the 19-year-old loves pressure.
"The pressure? He has had it for 13-14 years. He had enormous, constant pressure, and ranked as the biggest talent since LeBron James. When we had him at ASVEL, we saw that this pressure does not bother him," said Parker. "Moving to Spurs, moving behind Tim Duncan or David Robinson, the greats who have succeeded in this team. I don't think the pressure is going to get in the way."
Parker has high hopes for Wembanyama's success and sees a career similar to another Spurs great: Tim Duncan.
"I hope that with Victor, we [Spurs] will return to the top," Parker said. "I hope he will stay healthy. This is the most important thing for him. If he stays, he has the potential to make a career like Tim Duncan."
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5
