Victor Wembanyama Says Russell Westbrook Was His Favorite NBA Player

• Victor Wembanyama has revealed that Russell Westbrook was his favourite player growing up
• The projected No. 1 pick said he has a few, but Wetbrook's performances with the Oklahoma City Thunder impressed him
• The Frenchman is expected to be selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft

Victor Wembanyama, one of the most exciting NBA Draft prospects, has named veteran point guard Russell Westbrook as one of his inspirations growing up.

The young Frenchman is expected to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, and many basketball fans will be waiting for his debut later this year.

The 7-foot-4 French star was asked about who his favourite player was growing up during the "20 Questions with the Class of 2023" segment. He named Westbrook but said he has a few idols. It is interesting since Westbrook is a guard, and the former Metropolitans 92 big man has been compared to Durant.

NBA players with dreads: Who has the best locks in the league right now?

NBA

"I remember at some point, I was a big fan of Westbrook, you know, OKC," Wembanyama said. "I have plenty though, I didn't have like one big idol," via Sports Illustrated.

Wembanyama has been described as the best prospect since LeBron James. CBS Sports called him a hybrid between Kristaps Porzingis, Rudy Gobert, and Kevin Durant.

Westbrook's impressive stint at OKC

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James have been the face of the NBA for the last three decades. Upcoming players have named one of the four icons as their idols growing up. Wembanyama naming Westbrook shows just how dominant the guard was at his peak while at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After Durant left for the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook reached his peak and won his one and only MVP award in 2017, averaging an astonishing 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, per ESPN. He was the first since Oscar Robertson, in 1962, to average a triple-double. He also broke Robertson's record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42.

Jeremy Lin's net worth, wife, accomplishments, age, and where is he now?

NBA

Fans swarm Wemby at the airport

Sports Brief recently reported on Wembanyama's arrival in the United States.

His plane touched down at Newark International Airport on Monday. He was mobbed by fans, who waited for him at the airport just outside New York City.

He didn’t mind spending time with his fans even after the long flight, gladly signing autographs on various items they brought, from basketballs to Spurs jerseys with his name already on the back.