Victor Wembanyama remembers the time a youth coach said 'he can't play defense'

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksFirst-Round PredictionsHollinger's Playoff PreviewThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Playoffs Victor Wembanyama revealed that he was not always seen as an elite defender. Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Share articleSAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama never speaks at pregame shootarounds. Some people in his circle say they haven’t called him on a game day in all the years they’ve known him. Before games, he quietly prepares to take the floor, closing his eyes and meditating, trying to block out the endless external noise that will only grow louder as his star shines brighter. But Tuesday morning, before Game 2 of the San Antonio Spurs’ series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wembanyama sat at the podium at a time he never had before. At 11:33 a.m., Wembanyama, in his first pregame news conference since joining the Spurs, reflected on becoming the first unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner in league history. It brought him back to a moment when he wasn’t an all-world defender, which, of course, was a long time ago. When he was a 14-year-old at the basketball academy in France, he had a reputation for not playing defense. He said that stuck with him. “The opponents’ coach said, ‘He may be a prospect, but he can’t play defense, so attack him,’” Wembanyama said. “My teammates and my coach told me that the coach said that.” A reporter then joked, “You took that personally,” referring to Michael Jordan’s famous quote from “The Last Dance” documentary. “I took that personally,” Wembanyama responded with a laugh. “And the rest is history.” At that moment, Spurs forward Keldon Johnson stepped into the media gathering and raised his hand. “Yeah, I have a question,” Johnson said after Wembanyama called on him. “How does it feel to not only be the youngest Defensive Player of the Year, but the only unanimous Defensive Player of the Year?” Johnson soon found out that his question was actually the first one asked in the news conference, resulting in a back and forth that ended with Wembanyama asking for a hug. As Johnson finished the hug and began to walk away, he said, as he often does, “Best player in the world.” Wembanyama responded with “Sixth Man of the Year,” referencing the award that will be handed out Wednesday. Johnson is one of three finalists, along with Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Denver’s Tim Hardaway Jr. These days, few people are questioning Wembanyama’s ability to defend. Everyone who voted for the award agreed: The big man certainly can play defense. To commemorate the award, Nike released a 45-second ad with the tagline “He Blocks Among Us,” referencing Wembanyama’s nickname, “The Alien.” A dominant presence walks this planet. Here's proof. @wemby is your first-ever unanimous Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/svVTVAPSBF — Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) April 21, 2026 In response, the official NASA account posted to X: “On this planet or out in the universe, Wemby defends.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms