Victor Wembanyama Thanks Gregg Popovich in Heartfelt Message After Spurs HC's Exit
Victor Wembanyama shared a heartfelt message to Gregg Popovich after the San Antonio Spurs announced the longtime head coach's departure from the position on Friday.
"29 years," Wembanyama wrote on X. "Coach, thank you for your wisdom, for your leadership, for the culture you created… But most importantly for being a great and inspiring person.
"It was an honor to be a part of those 29 years. Wishing you the best on your new chapter."
Popovich spent 29 seasons as the Spurs head coach before stepping away from the position after suffering a stroke in November. He will now transition to a new role as president of basketball operations, according to the Spurs.
Popovich's last full campaign as the Spurs' head coach coincided with Wembanyama's first season in the NBA.
Popovich regularly held individually workouts with Wembanyama as the center played his way to a Rookie of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award runner-up, NBA.com's Michael C. Wright reported in March 2024.
"I think it’s pretty precious, and one of the reasons that makes this place the best place," Wembanyama said about those one-on-one workouts last March. "Also, I think I’ve added something out of every single one of these. Even whenever I talk with the coach, I add something every time.”
Popovich is set to remain around the team ahead of Wembanyama's third season. ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday that Popovich "has been involved with the team and present at San Antonio's facility in recent days, and will continue to be a vital member of the franchise's day-to-day operations."
"As much as he wanted to return to his place on the sideline, he came to the conclusion that he no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach," Charania wrote. "He has been making steady progress with his health in recovery from the November stroke, sources added."
Popovich said in a statement shared by the Spurs that he was "forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach."
He will retire as the NBA's all-time wins leader with 1,422 regular-season wins through 29 seasons with the franchise.
