The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs’ new master plan were immediately planted.

Victor Wembanyama’s standout play for the San Antonio Spurs this season has already caught the attention of NBA insiders, with a rival head coach predicting that the young French center will earn a significant honor this year.