Devin Vassell talks about Victor Wembanyama’s request for a strike

SAN ANTONIO – For the better part of three seasons, Devin Vassell served as San Antonio Spurs‘ second leading scorer, if not their first offensive option at times. That includes two years with Victor Vembanyama. Doc Wassel’s role has changed and will more than likely continue to do so in 2025-2026, one thing it isn’t.

“Mitch, over everybody in the organization, wants me to shoot the ball,” Vassell said, referring to head coach Mitch Johnson.

“And if I hesitate to shoot the ball once, they yell at me.”

The Eleventh pick in the 2020 NBA draft scored 17 points, including several huge baskets in a 107-101 win against the Miami Heat that set Spurs record for best start in their narrated history. That result matches what he has provided so far in this young season. His 16.8 points per game ranks third on the team behind Vembanyama’s 30.2 and Stephon Castle’s 18.8.

Victor Vembanyama praises Devin Wassel

Although Wemby’s first two seasons are in the NBA, Vassell has been the closest generational talent had an assistant. The two were the only Spurs to average at least 19.5 points a night in Wembanyama’s historic rookie campaign. Last year they topped San Antonio’s chart again most of the way before a mid-season trade for De’Aaron Foxthough the former Sacramento King teamed up with Wemby for just five games.

With Fox out for the season with a hamstring strain, reigning Rookie of the Year Castle has taken over as the primary perimeter player for the Silver and Black. And while Vassell’s points are down from earlier in his career, his impact is anything but.

“Besides the points he made, the rebounds, the hustle, the rebounds, the out-of-bounds save — toward the end of the game — he’s big. He’s big,” Vembanyama said of Wassell after the win against Miami.

“I just think about him and Keldon (Johnson), who have been here a little bit longer than me. And they’re just finding their role and what pieces they can bring to the puzzle,” the 2023 NBA draft pick continued.

Vassell and Keldon Johnson were the leading scorers for the Spurs the season before Webby arrived, with Johnson averaging 22 and Vassell averaging 18.5 per contest.

“And I’m so happy. I’m so happy and proud of them,” added their 7-foot teammate.

With the number two overall draft pick this summer, Dylan Harper, in the mix and Fox very close to returning, the chances of Vassell returning to the role of second offensive option are nil. As it stands, Castle already have the ball in their hands more than any other Spurs.

But as he showed through a start that already stands out in the San Antonio record books, Vassell has never been more important to the success of the Spurs.

“Whether I miss the last two, three, four, five, six, I really don’t care because I know I can make the next one. I know I can run and make two, three or four.”

That part of Wassel’s game won’t change. And the Spurs don’t want that.