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[Saba Sports News] Bob Cousy is offering high praise for a player 76 years his junior.
The Celtics legend went viral this week for his message to San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama. Cousy, through a representative, stated he believes Wembanyama could be “the next Bill Russell.”
“Tell him he will be the next Bill Russell and let him know that the first Frenchman in NBA history is watching him closely,” Cousy said, per EuroHoops.
At 96, Cousy—son of French immigrants—is still tuned into today’s NBA. Wembanyama, 20, hails from France and, at 7-foot-3, has quickly made his mark as a defensive powerhouse. In his rookie season, he led the league in blocks (3.6 per game) and was a runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, also averaging 21.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
Cousy, who played alongside Russell and won six championships with him, called Wembanyama “the next Bill Russell”—a truly remarkable compliment for the young Spurs star.