While Victor Wembanyama didn’t secure the gold medal he desired at the Paris Olympics, he did walk away with a silver medal and an invaluable opportunity to learn from Kevin Durant.
Following Team USA’s victory over France, Wembanyama and Durant shared a moment, during which Wembanyama expressed his eagerness to absorb knowledge and maybe “steal” a few of Durant’s secret techniques.
Wemby speaks on the moment he shared with KD after the Gold Medal game 🙌
(via @m6info) pic.twitter.com/lPHsZCeF71
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 16, 2024
Wembanyama has long admired Durant and has closely studied his game, recognizing their similarities in size, shooting ability, and fluidity. The potential for Wembanyama to enhance his skills by incorporating lessons from Durant is exciting.
Here are three techniques that Wembanyama could adopt from Durant to elevate his game to new heights:
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Three moves Victor Wembanyama must learn from Kevin Durant
The hesi pull-up jimbo
Durant’s renowned move, the hesi pull-up jimbo, involves a pull-up jumper executed after a hesitation dribble. Durant’s proficiency with this move, particularly from midrange, has been a key aspect of his game.
Wembanyama, although not as accurate from midrange as Durant, has shown promise with his pull-up 3-point shooting. By incorporating the hesi dribble technique, Wembanyama can create better shot opportunities and improve his scoring efficiency.
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Head tap
Another effective move in Durant’s arsenal is the “head tap,” a simple action that provides multiple screening options for creating scoring opportunities. This play could greatly benefit Wembanyama, enhancing his scoring versatility both in the post and coming off screens.
The strategic use of the “head tap” can maximize Wembanyama’s offensive impact, much like it has for Durant.
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Post fadeaway
Durant’s proficiency in the post, particularly with his deadly post fadeaway, has been a significant weapon throughout his career. Wembanyama, with his height advantage, has the potential to excel in the post game as well.
By emulating Durant’s decisiveness and passing ability in the post, Wembanyama can enhance his scoring efficiency and overall effectiveness in the low post.
Wembanyama’s dedication to learning from Durant and incorporating these techniques into his game could propel him to new heights in his basketball career.