Spurs Coach Says Watching Wembanyama Grow Into Himself Has Been ‘Pretty Fun’

Victor Wembanyama is only three seasons into his NBA career. He already has a Defensive Player of the Year award, an All-NBA First Team selection, and an All-Star nod. He also came within four wins of an NBA championship — something most players never sniff in a decade.

The San Antonio Spurs fell to the New York Knicks in five games, with the series ending at the Frost Bank Center. But for acting head coach Mitch Johnson, the real story isn’t the loss. It’s what Wembanyama has become along the way.

“I think it’s grown tremendously,” Johnson said of the French phenom. “I think he’s stepped into every moment with the appropriate amount of fearlessness and also respect for the moment and being exactly who he is. And he’s bringing his teammates and everybody else along with him. It’s been pretty fun to observe and be a part of.”

That quote captures something deeper about the 7-foot-4 center. He isn’t just piling up stats. He’s learning how to carry a franchise — and the weight of being the league’s next transcendent star — without flinching. According to Johnson, Wembanyama has balanced aggression with poise in ways that surprise even those who work with him daily.

Johnson didn’t offer any concrete plans for the offseason or hint at roster changes. The team has not confirmed any major moves beyond standard development. But the message was clear: the Spurs believe they have their cornerstone, and watching him evolve is validation for the entire organization.

The Finals run itself was a surprise to many. Few predicted San Antonio would emerge from a brutal Western Conference so early in Wembanyama’s career. Yet there they were, taking a more experienced Knicks squad to five games. The series turned on a pair of tight losses in New York, where the Spurs led late but couldn’t close. Fans online noted that Wembanyama looked exhausted in Game 4, still, he finished the series averaging 28 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks — numbers that suggest he’s already operating at an MVP level.

If Johnson’s reaction is any guide, the Spurs are less interested in moral victories than in the trajectory they see. “He’s bringing everybody along with him,” Johnson repeated. That phrase matters for a team that needs to build around its anchor. The front office now has a clearer picture of what that roster should look like — and a coach who believes the best is still ahead.

This is a developing story. The Spurs have not announced a timeline for offseason decisions.