The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs’ new master plan were immediately planted.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama dominated the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, but to be frank, Wembanyama dominating is nothing new. He finished the game, a 140-110 win for San Antonio,