Wembanyama ‘immune’ to NBA Draft hype

NEW YORK: Victor Wembanyama dismissed the soaring hype swirling around him on Wednesday as he prepares to become the most sought-after No.1 pick in the NBA draft since LeBron James.

The 19-year-old French talent is a lock to be chosen by the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s NBA Draft in New York, widely viewed as a once-in-a-generation talent capable of transforming a franchise.

The 7ft 4in (2.24m) Wembanyama arrived in the US on Monday to be greeted by autograph hunters and San Antonio fans as excitement builds ahead of the Draft.

In packed a pre-draft press conference on Wednesday, Wembanyama told reporters he was unfazed by the attention which has accompanied his entry to the NBA.

“I don’t let all this stuff get to my head because I have such great expectations for myself that I’m immune to all this stuff,” Wembanyama told reporters. “I really don’t care.”

San Antonio erupted in celebrations last month when the Spurs won the NBA’s lottery for the first pick, billed as the “Wembanyama sweepstakes.”

For Wembanyama, being chosen with the No.1 selection on Thursday will be the realiZation of a lifelong dream.

“Ever since I knew about the draft, exactly how it worked, I wanted to be first,” Wembanyama said.

“Tomorrow something’s going to happen that I’ve been thinking of for years.

“I’m going to have trouble sleeping tonight for sure. I just feel really really lucky.”

Wembanyama is also looking forward to getting down to work with San Antonio, where he will follow in footsteps of France’s four-time NBA champion Tony Parker under the guidance of revered coach Gregg Popovich.

“For me, San Antonio is a synonym for winning,” Wembanyama said.

“On lottery night, when the Spurs got the No. pick I was just thinking