Victor Wembanyama and Sterling “Scoot” Henderson, the No. 1 and 2 projected picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, provided a splashy showcase during Tuesday’s exhibition game between the G League Ignite and France’s Metropolitans 92.
French phenom, Wembanyama, who is expected to be first overall next year, hosted a clinic in his first-ever game on American soil.
The 7-foot-4, 18-year-old center — who is a member of the Metropolitans 92 — recorded 37 points (including 7 for 11 on 3-pointers), five blocks and four rebounds.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Henderson had 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists to lead the Ignite to a 122-115 win over top-tier French professional basketball league LNB Pro A.
The internet had a field day with the Wembanyama-Henderson game, with some fans propose business scenarios to get the best prospects.
NBA Twitter was seduced by the size of Wembanyama after seeing him play for the first time in the United States, the French player has an 8-foot wingspan and could still continue to grow at his age.
A now-viral video ahead of the Las Vegas show shows Wembanyama having to hide under a metal detector.
Internet was also buzzing with debate about the Wembanyama-Henderson matchup and declaring their favorite of the two. The two hopefuls praised each other, with Wembanyama calling Henderson “a great reliable player”.
Wembanyama also weighed in on who will be selected first in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“If I had never been born, I think he would deserve the top spot,” Wembanyama said.
Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 during their exhibition game at Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada.
Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite and Victor Wembanyama #1 of Metropolitans 92 during an exhibition game at Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the Metropolitans 92 and Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite shake hands after their exhibition game at the Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the Metropolitans 92 warms up before a game against the G League Ignite on October 4, 2022 at the Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite goes up for a dunk against Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in the second quarter of their exhibition game at Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the Metropolitans 92 dribbles the ball during a game against the G League Ignite on October 4, 2022 at Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas, NV.
The G League Ignite and Metropolitans 92 will play again Thursday at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and the NBA app.
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