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Victor Wembanyama is optimistic about the direction the San Antonio Spurs are heading in his second NBA season. The 21-year-old French center has been impressed with his own growth, as well as the team’s progress. He credits veteran newcomers Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul for their significant contributions to the team’s improvement.

“I have progressed in knowing myself, my teammates. It translates into many areas, there are stats on the rise, others maintained,” Wembanyama told the French media, according to Michael C. Wright. “We made a lot of progress thanks to Harrison (Barnes) and Chris (Paul). We are getting closer and closer to the recipe to win.”

This season, Wembanyama is showing his full potential. The former Rookie of the Year is averaging 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 4 blocks per game in 33.1 minutes of play. His all-around performance has been a key factor in the Spurs’ newfound optimism.

San Antonio is finally showing signs of a turnaround after several challenging seasons. With a 19-22 record, the Spurs are in contention for a Play-In spot in the Western Conference. They are just 1.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns, who currently hold the 10th spot.

Wembanyama also spoke about the upcoming double-header against the Indiana Pacers, set to take place at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. Playing in front of his home crowd, he’s looking forward to the energy the fans will bring. However, he’s staying focused on the task at hand.

“Playing in front of the French audience, it galvanizes me but there is no reason to do too much,” Wembanyama said. “I know the audience will be present and noisy, it is certainly a force I can use but it will be just a bonus.”