Victor Wembanyama and Sterling “Scoot” Henderson, the projected Nos. 1 and 2 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, put on a splashy showcase in Tuesday’s exhibition game between the G League Ignite and Metropolitans 92 of France.
The French phenom, Wembanyama, who is projected to go first overall next year, put on a clinic in his first-ever game on U.S. Soil.
The 7-foot-4, 18-year-old center — who is a member of Metropolitans 92 — recorded 37 points (which included going 7-for-11 on 3-pointers), five blocks and four rebounds.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Henderson tallied 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists in leading the Ignite to the 122-115 victory over what is France’s top-tier pro basketball league, LNB Pro A.
The internet had a field day with the Wembanyama-Henderson matchup, with some fans proposing trade scenarios to land the top prospects.
NBA Twitter was enamored by Wembanyama’s size after seeing him play for the first time in the U.S. The French player has a reported 8-foot wingspan and could still continue to grow at his age.
A now-viral video before the exhibition in Las Vegas shows Wembanyama having to duck under a metal detector.
Possible 2023 No. 1 NBA Draft pick Victor Wembanyama has to duck to get through the metal detector before showdown vs. Scoot Henderson and G-League Ignite pic.twitter.com/gEL2gMZQTW
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 5, 2022
The internet was also buzzing with debates about the Wembanyama-Henderson showdown and declaring their favorite of the two. Both prospects have spoken highly of one another, with Wembanyama calling Henderson a “reliable, great player.”
Wembanyama also weighed in on who will be selected first in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“If I was never born, I think he would deserve the first spot,” Wembanyama said.
The G League Ignite and Metropolitans 92 will play again on Thursday at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev. The game will air on ESPN2 and the NBA app.
