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Inside Spurs' Victor Wembanyama's holistic offseason with Hakeem Olajuwon
TL;DR
Victor Wembanyama is training with Hakeem Olajuwon during the offseason, enhancing his skills ahead of the playoffs. The two met at the NCAA Final Four and have since engaged in private training sessions focused on footwork and guard attributes.
Key points
- Victor Wembanyama is training with Hakeem Olajuwon.
- They met at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.
- Wembanyama is focusing on footwork and guard attributes.
- Olajuwon has previously trained other NBA stars.
- Wembanyama is a candidate for NBA MVP honors.
Victor WembanyamaHakeem OlajuwonSan Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Inside Spurs' Victor Wembanyama's holistic offseason with Hakeem Olajuwon originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama deserves all the attention coming his way. The 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year is in the middle of his breakout season, earning support for NBA MVP honors and taking the Spurs deep into the playoffs. Wembanyama has a special NBA legend to thank for passing on his wisdom this summer.
Ahead of the first round game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wembanyama was asked about his summer with two-time NBA Finals MVP Hakeem Olajuwon during his interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews. Wemby first met the Houston Rockets legend at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio and shared what he learned from him.
"So we met at the finals of the NCAA, so the Final Four," Wemby told Andrews. "Right away, he was very friendly, you know, and he told me right away that he wanted to share what he had, what he knew. All the footwork stuff, things that look easy but aren't, but he makes them easier, you know. And just some advice that comes with experience and nothing can replace experience."
After the meeting, Olajuwon and the Spurs star engaged in private training sessions, much like the Rockets legend previously did with Kobe Bryant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. During the drills, Wemby was asked to work out like a "big guard" to help him focus on footwork and important guard attributes.
Q&A
What did Victor Wembanyama learn from Hakeem Olajuwon?
Victor Wembanyama learned footwork techniques and valuable advice from Hakeem Olajuwon, focusing on skills that enhance his performance as a big guard.
How did Victor Wembanyama and Hakeem Olajuwon first meet?
Wembanyama and Olajuwon first met at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, where Olajuwon expressed his desire to share his basketball knowledge.
What impact could Wembanyama's training with Olajuwon have on his NBA career?
Training with Hakeem Olajuwon could significantly enhance Wembanyama's skills, potentially leading to improved performance and greater recognition in the NBA, including MVP considerations.
