Wembanyama arrives in San Antonio, with fans waiting for hours to greet him

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Wembanyama’s Arrival in San Antonio Draws Enthusiastic Fans

Victor Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonio was met with an outpouring of support from eager fans who had waited outside for hours, enduring scorching temperatures near 100 degrees. The moment the private plane carrying the NBA’s newest No. 1 draft pick touched down, the crowd erupted into chants of “Wem-V-P! Wem-V-P!” Despite not having played a single game in the league, Wembanyama embraced the moment, waving to the fans and expressing his delight.

On Friday afternoon, Wembanyama finally arrived in San Antonio, albeit a few hours later than scheduled. Spurs fans had eagerly anticipated this moment, and their fervor remained undimmed, as they see the young French talent as the key to restoring the franchise’s former glory. Gabriela Hernandez, a devoted Spurs fan, described the atmosphere as an expression of love and family, even enduring extreme heat to catch a glimpse of Wembanyama’s arrival.

Wembanyama is set to hold his introductory news conference in San Antonio the following day. After being drafted by the Spurs in New York on Thursday night, he arrived in San Antonio around 4 p.m. Central time on Friday. The arrival scene was filled with interesting sights, including a fan holding a sign proposing marriage to Wembanyama’s daughter and another person dressed as an alien, a nod to LeBron James’ previous description of the towering 7-foot-3 teenager who led his team to the French league finals. Many fans already donned Wembanyama jerseys, representing both his French origins and the Spurs’ colors.

As the plane taxied to a stop, fire officials honored Wembanyama’s arrival with a water-cannon salute. Even the police officers on motorcycles assigned to escort his vehicle joined in the celebratory spirit. Wembanyama took the time to personally greet and shake hands with each officer, posing for photographs before proceeding to the van.

Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, who attended the draft in New York and returned to San Antonio just before Wembanyama’s arrival, expressed his excitement about the team’s newest addition. Sochan highlighted the enthusiasm of the city and its fans, assuring Wembanyama that he has nothing to worry about and emphasizing the familial nature of the Spurs organization. Sochan believes that with Wembanyama’s talent and potential, it will be an enjoyable journey for everyone involved.

In fact, the Spurs have high hopes for Wembanyama, aiming to replicate their past successes with previous No. 1 draft picks, such as centers David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Both Robinson and Duncan achieved legendary status, earning induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Now, the spotlight turns to Wembanyama, with his enormous size 20.5 feet poised to follow in their footsteps. The Spurs have not won an NBA championship since 2014, nor have they advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2017 or even made the playoffs since 2019.

However, Wembanyama’s arrival instantly reignites the excitement in San Antonio, potentially making the Spurs a prominent team in the league once again. Gregg Popovich, the Spurs coach, acknowledged the enduring passion of the city for the team, regardless of the draft pick or the year. Popovich emphasized the unwavering support of loyal and faithful fans who have always stood by the Spurs, while the players have understood their responsibility to the community. Preparations for the upcoming season remain consistent, as the team maintains its identity and the city continues to show its unwavering support.

The temperature at the time of Wembanyama’s arrival was a sweltering 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), with high humidity making it feel like 108 degrees. The UV index indicated extreme levels. Despite these challenging conditions, fans waited patiently for hours, some seeking shelter under umbrellas, including one individual in a wheelchair. Some brought their own refreshments, while others purchased cold drinks from an entrepreneurial fan equipped with a cooler and a bullhorn across the street from the airfield.

Once Wembanyama finally arrived, the crowd’s cheers drowned out the bullhorn’s sound. Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan reiterated his belief that Wembanyama is ready for the challenges ahead and expressed his anticipation for the journey that lies ahead. Moments later, Wembanyama reciprocated the warm welcome by waving to the crowd. His first day in his new home had officially begun.

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• NBA Official Website
• San Antonio Spurs Official Website
• ESPN NBA News
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
• AP NBA on Twitter