Rodrigue Beaubois compares Wembanyama to Dirk Nowitzki: 'I'm shocked' / News - Basketnews.com

Former Dallas Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois played alongside Dirk Nowitzki, but he says he has never seen anything like Victor Wembanyama before.

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Shaq McKissic lost Rodrigue Beaubois from his sight for a blink of a second, and it was already too late.

Victor Wembanyama

Position:CAge:18Height:223 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

Beaubois sprinted through two screens, left McKissic a few steps behind, and the entire Olympiacos bench knew what was coming.

"Beaubois is their third option that really gets them going. When he is hitting those shots off those staggers and screens, it can be a nightmare," former Efes guard Errick McCollum recalled on the URBONUS podcast. "As you've seen, Micic and Clyburn are capable of scoring 50 every night. But if you give Beaubois get that 20, you're going to be in a world of hurt."

That fifth 3-pointer that Beaubois sink in Olympiacos' basket really hurt.

Efes increased the lead to 77-69 with 1:41 to play, and the game was over.

Beaubois scored at least 19 points in the last three games, boosting his team to a five-game winning streak.

"As a veteran, I realized we're not fighting enough. So I tried to fight as much as possible," Beaubois explained what helped him to change the momentum.

He hit ten 3-pointers in the last two games, as many as in ten previous games combined.

"Lately, it's been going good for me offensively. I just try to fight, play hard, and that's it," Beaubois said in an interview with BasketNews.

Efes changed the season's course, starting with the Barcelona game on November 17.

Before that match, Efes held team meetings and extended film sessions to snap a three-game losing streak.

"I think we started to fight more. We understand it's not going to be easy this year. Maybe we played too soft, and we were too comfortable about our talent. We realized that if we don't fight and play hard, there's no way we can win games. I feel that's what we've been doing lately. I hope we can continue for the entire season," Beaubois said.

Rodrigue Beaubois

MIN:26.5PTS:10.73 (53%)REB:3.45As:2.09ST:1.09BL:0.91TO:1GM:11ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

"We realized it as a team. When we started watching the film, it was obvious that we were not fighting and weren't together. We were just playing but weren't fighting at all. For me, it was the biggest change," Beaubois concluded.

Beaubois, 34, is currently on the best stretch since the 2020-21 playoff series vs. Real Madrid.

He's averaging 10.8 points per game (48.8% 3PT) which is his best since his arrival at Efes in 2018.

"Beaubois is not talked about as much, but he's one of the best shooters in Europe. Deadeye shooter," AS Monaco guard Jordan Loyd praised his opponent on the URBONUS.

Shooters appreciate shooters.

The French guard praised his new teammate Will Clyburn, who's leading the EuroLeague in scoring (20.7 PPG), and shoots threes at a career-high 43.4%.

"I'm amazed. I knew how good of a player he was. Everybody knew. But I guess everybody got surprised by how well he has been shooting the ball," Beaubois spoke of Clyburn. "He has been shooting at a very high level any type of shot, spot up, off the dribble, isolation. I'm impressed. I hope he can keep playing like that because if he makes shots, he's nearly unstoppable."

Last year Beaubois connected 117 consecutive 3-pointers during a practice session. That shootaround went viral all over the world.

Did Clyburn improve enough to challenge him in a 3-point contest?

"Not yet. He needs to keep practicing," Beaubois responded instantly with a smile. "But he's doing good."

Do you know who else impressed him so much?

Another great player in Europe just recently surprised everybody with his shooting ability.

"What to tell you that you guys don't know?" Beaubois smiled when asked about Victor Wembanyama.

"I'm just a fan. I'm enjoying everything like you guys. I knew he was talented, but what he has been doing this season, I'm shocked," the French guard responded.

As a shooting specialist, he couldn't stare his eyes down watching a 7'3 18-year-old prospect.

"He's so amazing... I've seen tall guys that shoot. I played with Dirk Nowitzki. But the way he shot that ball, after dribble... He's one of a kind. I've never seen it before. It's amazing, and I wish him all the best."

Beaubois played alongside Dirk in the Dallas Mavericks from 2009 to 2013. They won the NBA championship together in 2011. The following season, Beaubois averaged his NBA career-high 8.9 points for Dallas.

Last week Beaubois silenced Zalgirio arena hitting one of his five threes at the buzzer before the fourth quarter. Efes was up by 15 and paved the path toward their fifth consecutive win.

EuroLeague rivals are in a world of hurt watching Beaubois and Efes on their rhythm.

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