Victor Wembanyama Earns Major Praise From De'Aaron Fox Ahead of NBA Finals

The San Antonio Spurs are heading to the NBA Finals following a thrilling seven-game series against the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was awarded the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy after Game 7 on Saturday night, leading his team to the championship series in his first career playoff appearance.

San Antonio point guard De’Aaron Fox is the Spurs’ only starter with any previous playoff experience. And while the 28-year-old guard is a strong veteran presence for the Spurs, he acknowledged that Wembanyama has evolved into team’s unquestioned leader.

"The way that he approaches the game is I think different from obviously most players, but even most superstars,” Fox said after Game 7.

“He loves the game so much. I think we all see the talent he has and how much better he's grown as a basketball player, but I think just his leadership, the way that he's led from the moment that I got here to today, I think that's probably the biggest growth that he's had since I've been around,” Fox continued.

More Basketball:Kendrick Perkins Doesn't Hold Back on Thunder's Chet Holmgren

Wembanyama’s passion for the game of basketball shined through after the Spurs’ Game 7 victory on Saturday night. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman was visibly emotional as he and his teammates punched their ticket to the NBA Finals.

More Basketball: Chet Holmgren Reacts to Supportive Message From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Fox, Wembanyama and the Spurs will face off against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which will begin with Game 1 on June 3.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM.