Victor Wembanyama hails Spurs’ 2025 free agent addition

Free agent signed by Luke Cornet he officially played in only three games for San Antonio Spurs. Key word: official, as Cornett saw action in the team’s preseason games. Despite the small sample size, the 7-foot center has already made an impression on a generational talent Victor Vembanyama.

“Yeah, for sure. It’s good to have him back. There aren’t many blockers like him in the league,” Wemby said of his 30-year-old frontcourt mate.

Cornett suffered a sprained left ankle during the Spurs’ second game of the season. He managed 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block in 35 minutes of the game that San Antonio won against the New Orleans Pelicans.

In his return against the Chicago Bulls, the former Boston Celtic scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked a shot in 121-117 Silver and Black win.

“It’s always good to play with Luka,” Vembanyama added.

The Spurs have not lost any of the three games in which Cornet has played.

Luke Cornett joins the Spurs in his return

Wemby wasn’t the only Spurs star relieved to see Cornet return, as Stephon Castle also celebrated his new teammate’s contributions on the floor.

“He was great rolling to the rim all day. Played great defense. Great communicator on the floor as well. So it was great to have him back,” Stephon Castle said of the Vanderbilt alum.

The reigning rookie of the year often found Cornet on alley-oop dunks during the game.

“Yeah, definitely, with the lobs,” Castle explained why his partnership with Cornet was so effective. “It definitely makes a difference. I’m not going to lie.”

“Yeah, Luke’s probably a little more open to them, though. I feel like teams are kind of playing Vic for the lob. So yeah, Luke’s probably getting the easier ones.”

Cornet is happy to benefit from Vembanyama’s presence.

“I think there’s definitely parts of the game where you just feel his impact and obviously the Bulls game was one on both ends of the floor,” Cornett said of his 7-foot-5 teammate.

“You just start to recognize it. When he starts to feel in the flow, you just work to make it possible and have space around it and stuff.”

Prior to his second stint with the Celtics in which he won a championship in 2024, Cornett played for the New York Knicks, Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks in a career that began in 2017. With the Spurs, he serves as one of three regular season veterans alongside De’Arison Barks and Harrison Fox. They all understand that all lanes pass through Vembanyama.

“Obviously he’s still pretty young and so is the experience of playing with him. So it’s been fun to be able to grow with him,” Cornett said. “And honestly, our whole team, I feel like that’s another part of it. There’s been a lot of people coming back and getting into the game and stuff like that with Fox and Jeremy (Sochan) and stuff. So yeah, there’s a lot of us.”

Like corn, Fox and Jeremy Sochanrecently returned from injury. This summer second overall pick, Dylan Harperexpected to return relatively soon. It’s a comforting thought for both 7-foot Spurs.