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“Everybody has been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien. No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor,” LeBron James said on Victor Wembanyama in 2022.
“At (his size), his ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step-back jumpers out of the post, step-back threes, catch-and-shoot threes and block shots. He’s for sure a generational talent.”
At just 19 years of age, France’s Victor Wembanyama is 224cm tall, and is considered one of the greatest basketball prospects ever. He was selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft in June, becoming the first French player to do so, and just the second European, joining other famous first picks such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, and James.
Unsurprisingly, Victor’s parents are both tall and were both athletes. His father competed in the high, long, and triple jumps. His mother is a basketball coach and was a former player. His grandfather played basketball professionally, and his grandmother was also a basketballer.
Wembanyama joined the youth system of French club Nanterre 92 at age 10 and became the second-youngest player to play in the Eurocup when he made his professional debut at 15 years old. Before moving to the NBA, in his final season in France playing for Metropolitans 92, he became the youngest player to win the MVP award, he was selected for the equivalent of the All Star team, and he was named Best Defender, Best Scorer, Best Young Player, and Best Blocker.
He finished the season first in average points scored, rebounds, and blocks.
(Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
It was after his US debut in two exhibition games for Metropolitans 92 against the NBA G League Ignite that James made that quote. The games were televised nationally and attended by more than 200 scouts and NBA executives.
In the first game, Victor sensationally scored 37 points and in the second, he scored 36 points with 11 rebounds. After those two games the NBA announced that they would stream all Metropolitans games on their app.
Many have called Wembanyama the most anticipated draft pick since James in 2003. He says he models parts of his game after Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His height makes him the equal-tallest current NBA player and he has an estimated 240cm wingspan.
His thin frame has been labelled a potential weakness, and he may initially struggle to box out while rebounding and defending post-ups against physically stronger NBA players. He has exceptional mobility and skills for someone his size.
Offensively, he is a good three-point shooter, his jump shot is extremely hard to block because of his length, he has a variety of post moves, excels in the pick and roll, and he handles the ball and shoots like a guard.
Defensively, he is an outstanding shot blocker, and his excellent movement and mobility allows him to guard smaller players.
The coming NBA season, which starts on October 24, has the most Aussies ever with 13 in total. Victor Wembanyama makes his debut the next day on October 25 when the San Antonio Spurs host Boomers Josh Green and Dante Exum’s Dallas Mavericks.
Thousands of NBA fans around the world will be watching two Aussies up against a special, once-in-a-generation talent.
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