Why star prospect Victor Wembanyama won't be attending 2023 NBA Draft Combine

Victor Wembanyama is considered to be a generational talent. The league has likely not seen a prospect as talented as the 7-5 French star since LeBron James came out of high school.

It is all but a guarantee that on June 22, the team with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will select him. But they will be doing so without seeing him at the NBA combine.

The list of attendants for the 2023 NBA Draft Combine was released on Wednesday, and Wembanyama's name was not among the 78 players announced as participating in the workouts, which are set to take place next week.

Wembanyama's decision not to participate will not have any impact on his draft stock given the immense talent he has shown overseas. However, it will still be one fewer chance for teams — and fans — to get a glimpse of the 19-year-old superstar before he is officially selected first overall.

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Why won't Wembanyama be in Chicago for the combine? Here's what you need to know.

Why Victor Wembanyama won't be at the NBA Draft Combine

When the 2023-24 NBA season begins, Wembanyama will officially be stateside and the new face of a franchise. But until then, he's still playing for another team.

Wembanyama is the star of the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, one of the teams in France's top basketball league, Betclic Elite. Boulogne-Levallois still has a few games remaining on the schedule, facing Cholet on the road on May 12 and Paris at home on May 16, the latter directly conflicting with the combine.

Rather than leave his team at the end of the season to work out in front of NBA personnel, Wembanyama is opting to stay in France and finish out the year with his current squad. His team currently sits second in the overall standings with a 22-10 record, trailing only AS Monaco (26-6).

MORE: Why Wembanyama is considered best prospect since LeBron

Victor Wembanyama stats

In his first season with the Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama has been a superstar and is far and away the frontrunner to win Betclic Elite MVP, which will be announced on May 17. As of May 10, Wembanyama leads the league in points, rebounds and blocks, per Basketball Reference.

Here's a look at how he has performed so far in 2022-23:

When is the NBA Draft Combine?

• Dates: May 15-21

The NBA Draft Combine will run from May 15 to 21, starting with strength, agility and shooting drills on Monday from 3-5 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in on the NBA app to follow the drills.

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery will be held on Tuesday, May 16, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. ET.

There will be more NBA combine coverage on ESPN2 on Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. ET and on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. ET.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and Combine on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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NBA Draft Combine participants 2023