The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs’ new master plan were immediately planted.

The San Antonio star charged after Ivica Zubac after the Los Angeles center shoved him to the court during the Clippers' 128-116 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night.