Victor Wembanyama refuses to say 7-foot-1 2024 ROY counterpart's name amid budding rivalry: NBA insider
Ahead of their Wednesday night clash, San Antonio Spurs and OKC Thunder star sophomore big men Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren's budding rivalry gained steam. According to ESPN's Michael C. Wright, Wembanyama has consistently refused to acknowledge Holmgren amid repeated questioning.
Drafted a year apart, Wembanyama and Holmgren were neck and neck early in last season's Rookie of the Year race. However, the former ultimately ran away with the award, becoming the first unanimous ROY winner since 2016.
Nevertheless, both players are considered among the league's most versatile young big men and cornerstones for their respective franchises. Thus, their head-to-head matchups have received extensive media coverage.
Holmgren secured the edge over Wembanyama last season, winning two of their three showdowns, and it appears the latter may have taken the losses personally.
During a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today," Wright was asked, "What happens when you bring up Chet to Victor." The league insider noted that Wembanyama has long been reluctant to mention his 7-foot-1 counterpart.
"Victor will not even say the man's name," Wright said. "That's pretty much been the theme ever since Victor Wembanyama arrived in San Antonio."
Wright added that whenever Wembanyama is pressed about Holmgren, the French phenom makes a concerted effort to redirect the focus to their teams.
"Monday night we specifically asked Victor Wembanyama about the matchup with Chet Holmgren," Wright said. "This is what he said: 'I'm excited to get back to winning ways. It's always a good challenge to play Oklahoma City.' ... What you didn't hear was him, he, Chet, Holmgren. He does not mention the guy's name."
So, NBA fans should be in store for some intense battles between the two standout big men this season.
NBA insider on Victor Wembanyama's motive for ignoring Chet Holmgren
During his "NBA Today" appearance, Michael C. Wright touched on Victor Wembanyama's motive for disregarding Chet Holmgren.
According to the NBA insider, both players want to divert the media's focus away from their burgeoning rivalry.
"There is a real budding rivalry, and on both sides, both of those guys are trying to take the attention away from the rivalry and put it specifically on their teams, Oklahoma City and San Antonio," Wright said.
However, Wembanyama overlooking Holmgren appears to have had the opposite effect. Moreover, Wright noted that there is real animosity between the two rising stars.
"But I'm telling you, they do not like each other, they respect each other," Wright said.
So, following Wednesday's contest, Wembanyama and Holmgren will likely be comprehensively questioned about their opinions on one another.
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