Victor Wembanyama, a projected first-round NBA draft pick, prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
NEW YORK—Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-plus French player expected to be taken by San Antonio with the first pick in the NBA draft this week, threw out a wild ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees played the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
He wore a pinstriped jersey with “New York” across the chest rather than the traditional interlocking “NY,” and he had Joe DiMaggio’s No. 5 on the back. Standing on the rubber, he fired the ball in the dirt, well wide of the plate to the first-base side.
Victor Wembanyama's first pitch was a bit outside 😅 @yankees | @vicw_32 pic.twitter.com/4UXuHuN3Jr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2023
The 19-year-old spent this past season with Metropolitans 92 in the French league. The NBA lists his height as 7-4. He has said 7-3 and some internet sites show 7-5.
The NBA draft is Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.