Lottery: A Match Made in Basketball Heaven

05/17/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Spurs, Gregg Popovich Win NBA Draft Lottery’s No. 1 Pick & Rights to Victor Wembanyama

You couldn’t script it any better. With all eyes on the NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday night, Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs won the rights to the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft — a selection that will ultimately be used on the most highly-anticipated prospect since LeBron James. Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 positionless Frenchman, will become a Spur this summer, joining the likes of legendary San Antonio big men coached by Pop before him — David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Before the 75-year-old Popovich rides off into the sunset, he’ll get to groom the NBA’s next dominant superstar.

How the Lottery Went Down: Three teams had a 14-percent chance to win the top pick, but the league reveals the lottery order in reverse and creates a magic waiting game that keeps fans on edge. The top four spots remained in suspense after the Pacers (7th), Magic (6th), and Pistons (5th) were announced. Those final four teams who had a glimmer of hope? The Rockets (4th), Blazers (3rd), and Hornets (2nd) all took deep breaths before the Spurs (1st) won the top spot.

Euphoria doesn’t describe the shockwaves sent through Texas. Scenes of bars and watch party celebrations went viral as the last four picks were revealed, getting closer and closer to the top pick. Wembanyama was watching from Paris around roughly 2:00 am local time for the media circus, and he couldn’t help but smile. He claimed the Universe told him San Antonio would win the pick, and he even recorded himself “calling it” early yesterday morning.

“There’s a special relationship between France and the Spurs because of Tony (Parker) and also Boris (Diaw). Half of the country maybe, if not the whole country, wanted the Spurs to have the first pick.” — Victor Wembanyama

NBA Draft Lottery Order

1. Spurs

2. Hornets

3. Blazers

4. Rockets

5. Pistons

Rest of the Lottery: 6. Magic, 7. Pacers, 8. Wizards, 9. Jazz, 10. Mavericks, 11. Magic, 12. Thunder, 13. Raptors, 14. Pelicans

Top Prospects

1. F Victor Wembanyama (France)

2. G Scoot Henderson (G-League)

3. F Brandon Miller (Alabama)

4. G Amen Thompson (G-League)

5. F Jarace Walker (Houston)

The 2023 NBA Draft is June 22, but we already know one thing: Victor Wembanyama is a San Antonio Spur.

B/R: Full 2-Round 2023 NBA Mock Draft After Lottery Results

Yahoo! Sports: Meet Victor Wembanyama, the Best Prospect Since LeBron James

CBS Sports: NBA Draft Lottery Winners & Losers: Spurs & Wembanyama a Perfect Marriage

Image: Ethan Miller / Getty Images