Victor Wembanyama says NBA is 'less physical' than European basketball

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

There's a reason a 7-foot-5 athletic freak of nature was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft.

The San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama at No. 1 last month.

Combining his height with his shooting prowess and elite defense, he's seen as the league's best prospect since LeBron James.

The 19-year-old played professionally in a league in his native France, which he thought was more physical than the NBA.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama shoots over the Portland Trail Blazers' Justin Minaya during the second half of an NBA Summer League game Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/John Locher)

"The court is more open. It's going fast, but it's less physical," Wembanyama said after his second and final NBA Summer League game. "I get fouled a lot, but not as much. Here, players are just flying [around]. Out there, it's more on the ground, pushing on the ground, big box outs.

"Here, it's great athletes, the best in the world, way more talent. But I like this better, though."

Wembanyama has yet to play an NBA game that counts, and the Spurs pulled him from Las Vegas after just a pair of games. His next action won't be until the preseason in a couple of months.

He struggled in his Summer League debut, shooting just 2-for-13 from the floor for nine points, but he showed why he's so highly touted his next time on the floor.

In an 85-80 loss Sunday to the Portland Trail Blazers, he dropped 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Victor Wembanyama (1) of the San Antonio Spurs during a 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League game July 9, 2023, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las