Spurs vs. Guangzhou Loong Lions — Player Grades (Oct. 6, 2025)
The Spurs eased into their preseason slate with a dominant showing over the visiting Loong Lions, giving fans a glimpse of both the present and future. San Antonio’s young core looked sharp, confident, and eager to run. Here’s how everyone graded out:
Victor Wembanyama — A
Wemby was in complete command from the opening tip — smooth, effortless, and locked in. He finished with 19 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists in limited minutes, hitting threes, finishing lobs, and swatting shots like it was second nature. The poise and shot-making were elite-level stuff. You could tell he’s added confidence — and maybe a little muscle — since last season. Exactly the kind of preseason dominance you want from your franchise cornerstone.
Devin Vassell — A-
Vassell looked like a man ready to step into his prime. He poured in 18 points on efficient shooting, including a few clean pull-ups that reminded everyone why he’s so vital to San Antonio’s spacing. His defense and off-ball movement were crisp, and he looked fully comfortable sharing touches with Wemby. Minor turnovers aside, a professional, high-confidence outing.
Chris Paul — B+
The newest Spur showed exactly why he was brought in — stability and IQ. CP3 orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out 8 assists in 16 minutes while rarely forcing the issue. He’s clearly still adjusting to his new teammates, but his presence gave the young group a sense of structure and calm. Spurs fans got their first glimpse of the “Wemby whisperer” in action.
Jeremy Sochan — B
Sochan’s energy was trademark — active defense, rebounding, and point-forward creation. He tallied 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, doing a bit of everything. His shot still looked a little shaky from deep, but he continues to impact the game even when the scoring isn’t loud. A solid preseason start in his evolving role alongside Paul and Wemby.
Keldon Johnson — B-
Keldon was fine but unspectacular, finishing with 9 points and 3 rebounds. He attacked the basket with his usual aggression but forced a few drives and didn’t quite look in rhythm. Still, his physicality and motor remain valuable — he’s the emotional tone-setter even on quieter nights.
Stephon Castle — A-
The rookie looked poised beyond his years. Castle’s 12 points, 4 rebounds, and active defense stood out, especially his willingness to attack the rim and absorb contact. He defended well on the perimeter and showed real maturity handling the ball in spurts. A polished preseason debut that hinted at his two-way potential.
Malaki Branham — B
Branham gave the Spurs a nice scoring punch off the bench, hitting a couple of midrange jumpers en route to 10 points. He looked more decisive with the ball and competed defensively. Nothing flashy, but a steady effort — and it’s clear he’s vying for that rotation spot with intent.
Dominick Barlow — B+
Barlow continues to look like one of San Antonio’s most underrated pieces. He posted 14 points and 6 rebounds in efficient fashion, running the floor and finishing strong. His chemistry with Wemby and his defensive effort stood out again. Quietly productive and trending upward.
Charles Bassey — B
Bassey contributed solid interior minutes, grabbing boards and protecting the rim. His 6 rebounds and 2 blocks were right in line with what the Spurs expect from him — physical, reliable, and low-maintenance. A good reminder of his value as a backup big.
Julian Champagnie — B-
Champagnie found his rhythm late, finishing with 11 points and hitting a couple of corner threes. His defense remains inconsistent, but when his shot is falling, he fits beautifully into San Antonio’s modern spacing schemes. A mixed but encouraging performance.
Sidy Cissoko — C+
Cissoko’s effort was there, but the polish wasn’t. He had a few nice defensive plays but looked tentative offensively. With the roster deeper than last year, he’ll need a strong preseason to earn minutes — this was a lukewarm start.
Overall Team Grade — A-
The Spurs did exactly what you’d hope: dominated from start to finish, moved the ball with purpose, and gave fans glimpses of the new hierarchy forming around Wembanyama, Paul, and Vassell. The defense looked engaged, and the offense flowed better than expected for early October. The chemistry isn’t all the way there yet — but it’s coming fast.
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