Wembanyama's selection by Spurs produces record ratings for NBA draft on ESPN and ABC
Victor Wembanyama poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. Credit: AP/John Minchillo
NEW YORK — The selection of 19-year-old basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama by the San Antonio Spurs was must see-TV Thursday night.
The first round of the NBA draft averaged a record 4,928,000 viewers on ESPN and ABC according to Nielsen. This is the third year that the first round has been on both networks.
It was also the most-viewed program across television for the night.
The audience peaked at 6,085,000 during the first 15 minutes (8-8:15 p.m. ET) when the French phenom was drafted. The first round was also 33% higher compared to 2003, when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were selected. That was also the first year that ESPN began carrying the draft after it had aired on Turner Sports from 1985 through 2002.
Overall, draft coverage for both rounds on ESPN averaged 3,743,000 viewers, a 23% increase over last year.
More NBA news
