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NY Post
New York Post
21 Jun 2023


NextImg:Victor Wembanyama tosses first pitch at Yankees Stadium as NBA Draft nears

Victor Wembanyama has taken his talents to the baseball diamond.

The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama was invited by the Yankees to take to the mound at Yankee Stadium and throw the first pitch ahead of their game against the Mariners.

But the 7-foot-4 Frenchman is lucky he’s being drafted for his basketball skills and not his pitching.

French NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Seattle Mariners vs Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

The big man confidently took the mound while getting the crowd involved, but sent the pitch wide right of the catcher.

It wasn’t the best first throw, but it wasn’t as bad as the horrific first pitches from 50 Cent and Conor McGregor.

The prospect then threw a ball — intentionally — into the stands for fans, and seemed to terrify Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

But for the basketball prospect, the trip to New York likely won’t be remembered for his bad one-pitch outing either way.

Wembanyama is in New York for Thursday’s 2023 NBA Draft, and he hasn’t been afraid of being in the spotlight.

YES Network on field reporter Meredith Marakovi interviews French NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama signs a baseball for kids on the field during batting practice
Victor Wembanyama was interviewed by YES reporter Meredith Markovits before throwing out the first pitch Tuesday.
JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
French NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama on the field during batting practice
French NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama on the field during batting practice
JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

He was greeted by a mob of fans looking to get autographs and photos as he landed at Newark International Airport on Monday.

While it looked like he was shocked, Wembanyama seemingly enjoyed the attention.

“I don’t know how they knew what flight I was on, but it’s fun,” the center said on his way out of the airport.

“It’s different, seeing that you can have such impact on people.”

Long touted as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James, Wembanyama also took the subway for the first time Tuesday as he trekked to Yankee Stadium.

Victory Wembanyama showed off a baseball in his huge hands before throwing out the first pitch Tuesday.

Victory Wembanyama showed off a baseball in his huge hands before throwing out the first pitch Tuesday.
Victory Wembanyama

Draft Prospect Victor Wembanyama arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 19th, 2023
Wembanyama was mobbed when he landed at Newark International Airport on Monday.

Prior to the first pitch, the Frenchman took a stab at batting practice and showed decent form on his swings — though he likely won’t be making a mid-career switch to baseball like Michael Jordan.

Wembanyama, the owner of a freakish eight-foot wingspan, also posted a picture on his Instagram showing how comically small a baseball looks in his massive hands.

Wembanyama’s size, in combination with his guard-like skills, make the big man a can’t-miss-prospect for the San Antonio Spurs, holders of the top pick in the draft.