The San Antonio Spurs had two representatives within the opening occasion of NBA All-Star Weekend, within the Rising Stars Problem. Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama took the courtroom for crew Jalen Rose and crew Pau Gasol. Whereas all eyes had been on Wembanyama, it was Sochan’s crew that ended up taking dwelling the {hardware}.
Sochan took the courtroom first as crew Jalen took on crew Tamika Catchings. It was a tough begin for crew Jalen, however a flurry of offense from Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Hawkins led them to a 40-35 win. Sochan was comparatively quiet, not inserting himself an excessive amount of within the sport. Ending with two rebounds as his solely logged stats. He was one of many few gamers to set a display screen, which is becoming for the scrappy wing.
Spurs followers had hoped for a ultimate matchup that included Sochan and Wembanyama, however a feisty G League squad led by Detlef Schrempf acquired in the best way. From the tip there was a transparent distinction in depth between crew Detlef and crew Pau. Wembanyama’s squad was attempting to get spotlight performs, whereas the G Leaguers had been attacking the basket and transferring the ball.
Wembanyama made his influence on the sport. He led crew Pau with 11 factors, 7 rebounds and a pair of blocks. He had some spotlight performs that solely the 7-foot-4 middle may pull off.
Wembanyama confirmed nice synergy together with his teammates. How about some inverted PnR, and a lob to the slam dunk contestant, Jaime Jaquez Jr? Wemby confirmed off his passing abilities on an enormous stage.
Certainly one of his extra comical performs of the evening got here when he leaked out for a dunk, as he’s been vulnerable to do for the Spurs. After receiving the hit-ahead cross, he waited for the protection to catch up, and made the straightforward and-1 dunk. Afterwards he set free a devious snort.
Wembanyama didn’t try a single three, however had a candy midrange jumper to start the sport.
A lob dunk the place Wembanyama catches it, turns and dunks multi function movement? Simply one other day on the workplace for the Spurs rookie. This was the most effective highlights of the sport for crew Pau.
It was crew Detlef who acquired the final snort, as G League Ignite wing and 2024 NBA Draft prospect, Matas Buzelis knocked down a fadeaway jumper for the 40-36 win.
The desk was set for Sochan and crew Jalen to take dwelling to championship over crew Detlef. As soon as once more, Sochan was quiet, with two shot makes an attempt – each misses across the rim. He completed the evening quietly, however nonetheless walked dwelling with bragging proper over his teammate Wembanyama as crew Jalen took dwelling the title with a 26-13 win within the championship. Mathurin was named MVP of the Rising Stars Problem.
Wembanyama can have an opportunity to take dwelling some {hardware} on Saturday evening when he, Paolo Banchero and Anthony Edwards crew up within the Kia Expertise Problem.
