5 Things that separate Victor Wembanyama from even the best prospects

The San Antonio Spurs won the lottery for the third time in franchise history and drafted Victor Wembanyama, who is arguably the most hyped prospect in NBA history. LeBron was anointed “The Chosen One” in high school, but Wemby has been discussed as a league-changer since he was 16. There were zero questions about who San Antonio was taking, and everyone is excited to see what Wemby can do in year one.

The Spurs saw the impact in the schedule release as they got 11 nationally televised games on ESPN and TNT, which is their most since 2019. Wembanyama is not shying away from the hype and most believe he will quickly become a superstar.

Prospect hype is an annual thing, but not to the level of Wemby. Fans remember Zion Williamson, Greg Oden, Anthony Davis, and LeBron all getting massive attention and buzz before their drafts, but it goes back further to players like Shaq and Wilt. If Wembanyama is the best ever like Adrian Wojnarowski claims, what makes him stand out?

Things that separate Victor Wembanyama from even the best prospects

5. Proven against top competition

LeBron was dominating the top high school players in the country before his draft and most of the other elite prospects were wreaking havoc in the NCAA. Impressive feats, but not exactly winning MVP of the French Professional League or facing the top competition in Europe.

Wemby averaged 20.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 3.0 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game as a teenager against professional players. He led Metropolitans 92 to the LNB Pro A championship finals and a second place finish. It is a rare feat for a teenager to be the top player on a European club and further proves just how special Wembanyama is.

The 7’4 big man played in the EuroLeague as an 18-year-old, which is largely considered the second-best professional league in the world behind the NBA. He can hang against the best competition and is already being groomed to take over as the best player on the French Senior National Team for the 2024 Olympics and beyond.

Luka Doncic was a dominant teenager in Europe and immediately became a star in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama is following a similar path but with a few distinct advantages.

4. Size and athletic ability

Wembanyama is listed at 7’3, but he is closer to 7’5 in shoes and might be the tallest player in the NBA this season. There have only been 27 players in league history listed at 7’3 or taller and only a couple can even compare to Wemby’s athletic ability. They are Ralph Sampson, Aryvdas Sabonis, Yao Ming, and Kristap Porzingis, or three Hall of Famers and the aptly nicknamed Unicorn.

Wembanyama might be the best athlete of them all. Look no further than the big man missing a 3-pointer only to collect his own rebounder for a putback dunk. Fans never know what they will see when Wemby takes the floor. His size, wingspan, and athletic ability can make for some indescribable plays on a nightly basis.

Good luck trying to score on Wembanyama near the rim. If he puts his arms straight up, they are nearly even with the basket. He averaged 3.0 blocks per game last season in the French pro league, which will instantly transfer to the NBA. Wemby knows where to be on defense and will be an elite rim protector from day one.

Victor Wembanyama is an elite athlete and one of the biggest players in league history, but his dedication and desire separate him from other elite prospects.

3. Dedication to health and conditioning

The knock on players Wembanyama’s size is always their injury risk. Hasheem Thabeet was the number two overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, but the 7’3 big man only played 224 NBA games. Yao Ming played his final full NBA season at 28 years old as injuries derailed his career. Ralph Sampson was 29, and fans have seen Kristaps Porzingis struggle with injuries nearly every year.

Wemby knows the problem and has been working to prevent it since he was 15. His workout regime is already legendary. The teenager follows a strict diet and does specific daily feet, ankle, knee, back, and coordination exercises to prevent getting hurt.

Fans will see him grinding well before every game and doing things that no other player replicates. Victor Wembanyama has already spent years preparing to dominate the NBA and has no plans of stopping. There will be hiccups, but the 19-year-old has done everything possible avoid them.

This aspect has derailed players like Zion Williamson. The Pelicans star is fantastic when he plays, but he has struggled to stay healthy in his first four years. Conditioning is an issue for Zion, but it won’t be for Wemby.

The French teenager also has a unique personality that makes him stand out even among the best prospects.

2. Mentality and maturity

Victor Wembanyama is not your average teenager. Beyond being an outstanding basketball player, he carries himself with the maturity and poise of a 30-year-old. Wemby is a deep thinker and ready to handle whatever challenge gets thrown at him.

J.J. Redick asked him about being called “the greatest prospect ever” on The Old Man and Three podcast, and the teenager’s answer shocked the 15-year NBA veteran.

Wembanyama explains that the hype and the pressure do not impact him because he knows who he is and how he wants to live. It is a deep concept that most adults struggle to find. Wemby is truly at peace and enlightened at 19 years old, which is extremely rare.

Fans will hear a mature person that knows exactly what he wants whenever they listen to the 7’3 big man. His drive and dedication take his maturity to another level. Victor Wembanyama wants to be great for himself, and he will reach those goals.

This is a teenager with historic size and athletic ability, who wants to be great, and has already spent years working towards it. That is a unique package, and Wemby has the final necessary piece of the puzzle to make him the best prospect ever.

1. Unmatched skill set

Even the best prospects usually enter the NBA with one elite skill and the ability to develop a few others. They are an exceptional scorer but must improve their jumper and defense to become a superstar. Others have the defense down but need to unlock their offense game. Victor Wembanyama will be a force on both ends of the floor from day one with the upside to be the league’s best player.

The 7’3 big man averaged 4.0 blocks per game in his two summer league contests and will be an elite rim protector and rebounder from day one. There will be rookie moments, and Wemby will get dunked on, but expect him to be among the league leaders in blocks per game right away.

On the offensive end, he can score, handle the ball, make plays, and hit his free throws. Wembanyama must improve his jumper, but that will come with time in the NBA. He will quickly transform into an elite scorer that averages four assists per game, and nobody will know how to defend him.

Victor Wembanyama deserves all the hype. He is an all-time great prospect with the potential to be an inner circle Hall of Famer. Call it hyperbole and bet against him at your own risk. Wemby is special, and the San Antonio Spurs are the perfect organization to maximize his potential.