French basketball star Victor Wembanyama, now with the San Antonio Spurs and the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, has gained over 10 kilos (about 22 pounds) compared to last year. He said that this summer, he focused on "building strength and abs" to be more competitive for the new NBA season.

"It's a natural process. I'm trying to work in a way that’s good for my body, respecting my body type," Wembanyama said this Monday during media day, ahead of the new season, which kicks off on October 24. "We're not focused on gaining weight, but weight increases when you build strength. I’m happy with the summer we had here," he added.

Wembanyama, a 20-year-old phenom standing at 7'4" (224 cm) with incredible tactical versatility and agility, weighed around 95 kilos (about 209 pounds) at the start of last season, his first in the NBA. Now, he's heading into the new season at nearly 106 kilos (around 234 pounds).

Over the summer, the Frenchman said he worked on the "basics" of basketball. "For example, I worked a lot on finishing at the rim. These are things that seem simple for a guard, but they’re things I need to focus on," he said. Despite his height, Wembanyama is incredibly skilled and can score from anywhere on the court.

In the upcoming season, he’ll be sharing the locker room with veteran Chris Paul, a player from whom he’s eager to learn. "I followed him a lot; he's a player I remember watching as a kid. I'm excited. In the first week together, we've already learned a lot. We knew he would fit in, but the way he adapts and teaches us is really important to me. I'm super, super excited," he said.