Wemby inks Spurs extension, tells fans 'I'm here to stay' / Photo: Alex Slitz - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Wemby inks Spurs extension, tells fans 'I'm here to stay'
Victor Wembanyama signed a long-term contract extension with the NBA San Antonio Spurs on Friday after telling supporters: "I'm here to stay. Whatever it takes."
The Spurs posted video of the signing on their social media accounts, confirming a multi-year extension.
ESPN reported the deal was for the five-year, $252 million rookie maximum with the extension including a player option in the fifth season.
The 22-year-old Frenchman posted his comments to the "Spurs family" on X earlier in the day, hinting what was to come for the 7-foot-4 (2.24m) superstar.
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, an NBA-best 3.1 blocked shots and 1.0 steals a game for San Antonio last season as the Spurs reached the NBA Finals only to lose to the New York Knicks.
"Wemby" was unanimously voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and sparked the Spurs to the second-best record in the league at 62-20, then in his first NBA playoff run ousted Portland, Minnesota and Oklahoma City to reach the finals.
Wembanyama was disappointed after the finals defeat, but the news he will remain a Spur for the long term will excite San Antonio supporters.
According to ESPN, Wembanyama did not take "supermax" escalators worth 30% in the deal, staying with a 25% jump that will allow the Spurs more money and room under NBA salary cap rules to better surround him with talent in the quest for a championship.
It's a move similar to one made by Tim Duncan in an earlier Spurs era to help produce a champion and by New York's Jalen Brunson to give the Knicks enough talent to dispatch the Spurs in last month's Finals.
Wembanyama has three-season NBA career averages of 23.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 blocked shots and 1.1 steals.
L.Olivier--PP
