Wemby Reportedly Motivated by Chet Holmgren Winning NBA Title With Thunder
San Antonio Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama is reportedly driven to match his longtime rival in a key category.
ESPN's Marc Spears reported during Monday's episode of NBA Today that Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren winning an NBA championship last season has created some extra motivation for Wembanyama in his third year.
"I was told by somebody inside that room that Wemby is motivated by Chet. Chet having one up on him on the championship," Spears said.
Wembanyama and Holmgren have a competitive rivalry that reportedly dates back to their days playing international basketball at the U-20 level. The two of them have had some fiery matchups in the NBA, with Wembanyama visibly playing with some extra juice whenever they meet.
If the first three games of the year are any indication, Wembanyama is a man on a mission this year. The 2023 No. 1 pick is averaging 33.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and a league-high 6.0 blocks while leading the Spurs to a 3-0 record. He stuffed the stat sheet with 31 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, three steals and six blocks in Sunday's win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Meanwhile, Holmgren and the Thunder are also off to a 3-0 start, with the big man elevating his game. He's averaged 24.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks. He had 31 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday's victory against the Atlanta Hawks.
The two towering players will have quite some time to build up their games before meeting for the first time this season on Dec. 23. They will then face each other in a back-to-back on Christmas Day, putting their rivalry on full display on one of the biggest days of the year for the NBA.
