De'Aaron Fox praises Victor Wembanyama's competitive drive

Spurs star always wants to win, even in practice and shooting drills, according to Kings guard

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:26am

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Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox praised San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama for his relentless competitive drive, saying the 7-foot-4 phenom "wants to be the best player on the floor every time he steps on the floor" whether it's a game, practice, or even a shooting drill. Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in his third NBA season, helping the Spurs to the second-best record in the league at 51-18.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's competitive spirit and dominant two-way play have been key factors in the Spurs' success this season as they push for an NBA title. His relentless drive to win at everything he does, even in practice, has impressed his peers like Fox and made him one of the most exciting young stars in the league.

The details

In Tuesday's 28-point win over the Kings, Wembanyama finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Fox, who played for the Kings, had 15 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. After the game, Fox spoke about Wembanyama's competitive nature, saying "Whether it's training camp, practice, a shooting drill, the All-Star Game, it doesn't matter. Vic's trying to win. (...) He wants to be the best player on the floor every time he steps on the floor."

  • The Spurs have won 8 of their last 9 games, keeping pressure on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference.
  • The Spurs defeated the Kings 28-0 on Tuesday, the second night of a back-to-back.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-4 rookie sensation for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 3.0 blocks per game in his third NBA season.

De'Aaron Fox

A guard for the Sacramento Kings who played against Wembanyama's Spurs on Tuesday.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's training camp, practice, a shooting drill, the All-Star Game, it doesn't matter. Vic's trying to win. (...) He wants to be the best player on the floor every time he steps on the floor.”

— De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings guard

What’s next

The Spurs will have Wednesday off before returning to action Thursday against the Phoenix Suns as they continue their push for the top seed in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's relentless competitive drive and dominant two-way play have been instrumental in the Spurs' success this season, as the young phenom continues to impress his peers and cement his status as one of the NBA's most exciting up-and-coming stars.