Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Wants to Play 'Every Single Game' of His Rookie NBA Season

Victor Wembanyama won't be hearing of any load management during his first NBA season.

The San Antonio Spurs sensation told reporters he wants to play all 82 games during the 2023-24 campaign.

"Every game. If there's no excessive risk for my health—of course I can't predict the future—but I want to play every single game," Wembanyama said Tuesday.

The most-hyped draft prospect since LeBron James, Wembanyama will make his NBA debut Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks. He was largely brilliant in four preseason appearances, flashing elite rim-protection skills, an improving three-point jumper and basketball IQ well beyond his years.

"This one feels unreal even more," Wembanyama said of his NBA debut. "I thought maybe a month ago that some preseason games would prepare me for that moment, and it would be just another game. But it feels totally different. The fact it's an actual NBA regular season game. It's different."

The Spurs have, in typical Gregg Popovich fashion, attempted to downplay the hype. That said, Popovich's longtime friend, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, let the cat out of the bag that even the 74-year-old Spurs coach can't contain his excitement.

"Pop is bouncing off the walls, he's really excited," Kerr told reporters last week.

Should Wembanyama live up to the hype and play 82 games, odds are the NBA league office will be bouncing off the walls too having found the next great generational superstar.