2023 NBA Draft Lottery: San Antonio Spurs win No. 1 pick, right to select Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs hit the jackpot by winning the right to pick the 19-year-old generational talent from France, the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James 20 years ago. The draft will be held on 22 June in Brooklyn.
Basketball
The San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday (16 May) and the right to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick.
In the most anticipated draft since 2003 when LeBron James was chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Charlotte Hornets will draft second, the Portland Trail Blazers third followed by the Houston Rockets.
The Detroit Pistons, who had the worst record in the league at 17-65, will pick fifth.
The draft is on 22 June at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Spurs, Rockets and Pistons had the best odds to win the top pick at 14 per cent.
The 19-year-old Wembanyama is considered a generational talent with a wide array of skills at 2.26 metres, certain to help turn around a 22-60 San Antonio team which tied for the second-worst record in the NBA.
Hours before the lottery took place, Wembanyama had 22 points for Boulogne-Levallois in their regular-season finale, clinching the French league scoring title.
The Spurs have the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history after taking Tim Duncan in 1997 and David Robinson in 1987.
San Antonio has had a successful history with the top French players. Tony Parker and Boris Diaw both won rings under coach Gregg Popovich.
2023 NBA Draft Lottery: Full order
- San Antonio Spurs
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Houston Rockets
- Detroit Pistons
- Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers
- Washington Wizards
- Utah Jazz
- Dallas Mavericks
- Orlando Magic
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Toronto Raptors
- New Orleans Pelicans