With September here, the NBA season is inching closer, and the anticipation around Victor Wembanyama’s return to the court is growing. What makes it even more exciting is that the San Antonio Spurs’ young star may be preparing to showcase a new wrinkle in his game.
While Wembanyama’s shot-blocking and scoring often dominate the headlines, one of his most overlooked strengths is his passing vision. According to Sam Vecenie, he has been practicing “tip outlet passes” designed to spark quick transition opportunities.
This development could be significant, especially with teammates like De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, who all thrive when the pace increases. Fox in particular has the speed to turn those quick passes into instant fast-break chances.
The Spurs Want to Play Quicker
Wembanyama’s focus on outlet passing suggests that coach Mitch Johnson is steering the team toward a faster style of basketball. With a roster filled with young, energetic players, the Spurs appear ready to run and generate easier baskets before opposing defenses can get set.
Imagine Wembanyama grabbing a rebound, firing a precise hit-ahead pass, and watching Fox or Castle fly down the court. Combined with his ability to block shots and immediately transition defense into offense, this could help cover up the team’s biggest weakness: outside shooting. Several rotation players still struggle from three-point range, so easy transition points may become a necessity.
The approach feels familiar to long-time Spurs fans. During the later years of Tim Duncan’s career, San Antonio frequently relied on his quick outlet passes to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who excelled at attacking unsettled defenses.
A Modern Twist on an Old Formula
This time, the strategy could feature a twist. After releasing the ball up the floor, Wembanyama could trail the play and punish defenses with wide-open three-pointers. Opponents might be so focused on stopping the initial fast break that they momentarily lose track of the seven-foot-four forward arriving late.
If the quick strike isn’t there, the Spurs can reset into their half-court offense, where Wembanyama and Fox are expected to carry much of the load. The team’s lack of consistent shooting will remain a challenge, but maximizing transition opportunities could make a huge difference.
If everything comes together, San Antonio’s offense might surprise those who expect another season of growing pains. Wembanyama’s ability to blend rim protection, rebounding, passing, and scoring gives the Spurs a versatile foundation, and his new outlet passing experiment could be the piece that ties it all together.
