With San Antonio still in the grips of Wembymania, hundreds of Spurs fans gathered at the city's airport early Friday afternoon to welcome the 19-year-old French phenom to the Alamo City.
After word got out that Victor Wembanyama, the Silver and Black's No. 1 draft pick, was due to land at San Antonio International Airport's North Terminal at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, the die hard filled the parking lot — triple-digit temperatures be damned.
"The heat don't bother me one bit. There's guys that have been out here a lot longer than me," said lifelong Spurs fan Fred Carrasco, who brought along a basketball for Wembanyama to sign. "I'm here to see Wemby, and I'm gonna stay here until I do."
Although Wembanyama's flight was initially supposed to land at 1:30 p.m., it was delayed several times and as of press time was expected to land in San Antonio during the late afternoon.
Despite the scorching Texas sun, some fans began staking out the airport as early as 10 a.m. They said they weren't going anywhere until they saw Wembanyama was on the Tarmac.
"We 100% gotta see it. Tt's like a celebrity is moving here," said Aaron Chbeir, who arrived at the airport around at around noon.
"It's like he's bringing hope to San Antonio, and we haven't had that in a long, long time," Chbeir's pal Deigo Santana chimed in.
Santana and Chbeir said they weren't upset that Wembanyama's flight was delayed. He likely had a big night in New York City following the draft and probably needed rest, they added.
Indeed, Wemby's schedule is packed. After landing in San Antonio, the French player is set to appear on a special Spurs broadcast, "Meet the Rookies," at 10 a.m. Saturday on KENS. After that, he'll jet off to Las Vegas for the NBA summer league.
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