The story first appeared in SLAM 247.
Highly anticipated draft prospects are as old as grandparents. Whether Kareem, Ewing, Shaq or LeBron—the fanfare that has preceded the professional journey of a college (or high school) superstar has rarely proved anticlimactic. In ’97, a modest but significant level of anticipation would almost personify the subsequent career of the San Antonio Spurs’ number one pick: Timothy Theodore Duncan.
At SLAM, we knew the hype wasn’t just hot air. We even collaborated with the trading card company The Score Board to create SLAM cover-style cards featuring TD—10 in total—each one educating the collector on a legit element of his game. All this before he’d even stepped foot on NBA hardwood.
Three years later, Tim Duncan had become a household name. He’d found a perfect fit in the Spurs’ winning culture, humbly taking on the position of protégé to the great David Robinson. Not only had TD collected ROY honors, but he’d also made the NBA First Team, become a staple at All-Star Weekend and won a title with a Finals MVP cherry on top. When he took a seat on the cover of SLAM 47’s George Gervin homage masterpiece (shout out to Russ Bengtson), we were presented with an image that articulated what we already knew—Timmy D is cold.
This year’s number-one draft pick has us on board the hype train for sure. I’m riding first class with popcorn and free Wi-Fi. In other words, I’m invested in traveling this journey with Victor Wembanyama. Not only is he joining a franchise that specializes in producing elite players who win titles, but he also possesses the physical and skill attributes that the NBA has been evolving toward for the past 20 years. Wemby is the fulfillment of basketball prophecy. Not that I’m getting carried away or anything…
In the words of Yasiin Bey: “The kids better buy my rookie card now, ’cause after this year the price ain’t comin’ down.” I’m assuming you copped the rookie card already—so let me make one last bold statement: You need that Wembanyama Issue 240 and 247 cover. Gold Metal Edition. Do it for the grandkids.
