Victor Wembanyama Officially Declares for 2023 NBA Draft

We all knew this was coming.

French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama told ESPN's Malika Andrews during an appearance on NBA Today on Friday he has officially declared for the 2023 NBA draft.

Wembanyama is widely considered the best prospect in this year's class and is expected to be taken first overall, above the likes of Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.

"Declaring for the draft ... it's something crazy I'm not realizing yet," Wembanyama told ESPN. "I realized pretty young. I wanted to play in the NBA, but it becomes a reality more every day. I'm so lucky to have this dream within the reach of my hand."

The 2023 draft order has not been determined, though the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs have the best chances (14 percent) to land the No. 1 overall pick and a shot at Wembanyama.

While the Pistons, Rockets and Spurs have been among the worst teams in the NBA over the last few seasons, Wembanyama made it clear that he doesn't care who drafts him while speaking with ESPN in February.

"There is no wrong team. I am not worried; there is no bad organization. I never tell myself I don't like to go there."

Standing at 7'5" with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama will become the tallest and longest player in the NBA. Despite his size, he has a guard-like skill set that helps him excel in all areas, including on the defensive end.

Wembanyama is in the midst of a sensational season in France, averaging 21.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.3 assists in 29 games while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 30.4 percent from deep. At just 19 years old, he's projected to be the French league's MVP.

Wembanyama turned heads in the United States when he took part in two exhibition games against Henderson and the G League Ignite in Las Vegas in October, notching 73 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two steals and nine blocks in those two contests.

The incoming star has already been lauded by NBA stars such as LeBron James, who said he's like nothing the league has ever seen because of his height combined with how "fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor."

Speaking with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press in October, Wembanyama said maintaining that uniqueness has been his goal:

"I'm gonna tell you something that's been going on in my life, like for my whole life, since I've been a kid, even before I played basketball. I've always tried to do [something] different. I'm not even talking about sports, whatever. Any field, I'm always trying to be original, something original, something one of one, something that's never been done before. And this is really how it worked in my life. I don't know where it comes from. I think I was born with it. I've always been trying to be original. Unique, that's the word."

With his skill set and drive to succeed, whichever team lands Wembanyama will have a franchise cornerstone to build around for years.