The hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama in basketball circles is unprecedented, largely due to the overwhelming praise he has received from some of the sport’s biggest names. LeBron James has described him as an “alien”, Steph Curry compared him to a player from the video game “2K create-a-player”, and Kevin Durant believes he will cause trouble for the league when he is drafted first overall in 2023. ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson even goes as far as to say that Wembanyama is the most intimidating prospect to enter the NBA, while others see him as the best player to join the league since LeBron’s arrival in Cleveland 20 years ago as “The Chosen One”.
Despite being considered one of the greatest NBA prospects ever, 18-year-old Victor Wembanyama remains humble about the hype surrounding him. The French native from Le Chesnay, outside Paris, acknowledges that he has yet to achieve anything significant. However, with a towering height of 7ft3′ and an astounding 8ft wingspan, NBA teams are eager to land the No. 1 pick in order to secure him. While the practice of “tanking” to secure a higher draft pick has been monitored more closely by the league in recent years, the NBA is taking notice of Wembanyama’s potential. As he heads into one of the most important years of his life, Wembanyama embodies the proverb by 19th century French poet Alfred de Musset: “Il vaut mieux faire que dire” or “it is better to do than to talk.”
Earlier this year, Wembanyama greeted LeBron James with a handshake.
Wembanyama’s incredible journey to becoming a basketball superstar has been heavily influenced by his parents, Elodie and Felix. In October, he traveled to Las Vegas for two games against NBA G League Ignite, marking his first time playing in the US. Wembanyama went up against a projected No. 2 pick and attracted over 200 scouts who were eager to witness this “alien” of European basketball in action. The excitement surrounding his performance was comparable to that of Adele’s upcoming concert in 2022. With the likes of Chris Paul and Devin Booker in attendance, Wembanyama put on a stunning display, scoring an impressive 37 points, making 5 blocks, and securing 4 rebounds. He also went 7 of 11 from three and 11 of 20 overall. Although his team lost, this was a clear demonstration of his talent in front of some of the biggest names in the industry. Former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo even praised the young athlete, saying, “When this kid comes, get ready.”
This towering athlete stands at an impressive height of 7ft4 and possesses exceptional ball-handling skills like those of a point guard, while also being physically imposing enough to take on any center in the NBA.
Despite being widely regarded as the top pick for the 2023 draft, Wembanyama remains level-headed and grounded. His talent has left many in awe, with some even comparing him to basketball greats like Rudy Gobert and Kevin Durant. His impressive skillset includes the handle of a perimeter guard, shooting ability of a wing, and the vertical of any center in the game. While he acknowledges that stamina is an area for improvement, Wembanyama remains focused on achieving his goals and staying consistent. With his unique biological makeup, Wembanyama has the potential to truly stand out as one of the greatest players of all time. Watching him play is a true delight, and his future in the NBA is highly anticipated.
Wembanyama has earned some impressive nicknames in the world of basketball. LeBron James has referred to him as an “alien,” and Steph Curry has called him a “cheat code.”
Wembanyama is poised to become the top pick in the draft, beating out guard Scoot Henderson. He comes from a family of athletic success, with his father being a former high jumper standing at 6ft5 and his mother being 6ft2. Wembanyama’s brother is a well-known handball player, and his older sister plays professional basketball. Wembanyama has always felt different from his peers and thinks differently than others. He started playing basketball at age seven and quickly stood out due to his remarkable height. Despite not having a significant athletic background in his hometown of Le Chesnay, France, Wembanyama is sure to become their most famous export.
When Wembanyama first visited the United States, he gained attention on ESPN. Even Anelka, who often watches him play before he leaves for America, has “Wemby fever.” Many compare Wembanyama to notable basketball stars like Durant, Antetokounmpo, Olajuwon, Ming, and Abdul-Jabbar, but his size, shooting ability, and ball-handling skills make him a unique player. In 2020, Wembanyama made headlines when he effortlessly shot over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, a moment that was viewed over 7.4 million times. Despite offers from international teams, Wembanyama chose to stay in France for his final season. Holger Geschwindner is a well-known name in basketball circles.
His journey to the NBA draft was featured on the front page of Slam magazine.
Wembanyama, a 7ft4 basketball prodigy, met his idol PSG striker Kylian Mbappe and sought the help of shooting coach Holger Geschwindner, who is known for coaching NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki. Geschwindner rebuilt Wembanyama’s shooting form during his summer visit to Germany and emphasized that the teenager should not be coerced into lifting weights. Despite being a generational talent, Wembanyama remains humble and looks up to Mbappe as his biggest inspiration. He aims to pave his own path and become a culture-changing player that could lead a team to a championship for years to come. The hashtag #TankForWemby has gained traction on social media, but NBA chief Adam Silver warned teams against tanking to secure the first draft pick for Wembanyama.