Stephen A. Smith just admitted Victor Wembanyama won the "face of the NBA" argument

Well, how about that? After claiming that an international star could never be the face of the league, Stephen A. Smith seems to be going in a different direction. Recently, he stated that Victor Wembanyama has taken that title for the time being, making for a surprising narrative shift. Better yet, it's more proof of the mark he's leaving on the game.

After being asked who he believes is the face of the NBA, Smith said, "Believe it or not, I think at this particular moment in time, it's Victor Wembanyama."

At this point, it's impossible to ignore Wemby's impact. Not only has he become the superstar Spurs fans have prayed for ever since Kawhi Leonard was traded, but he's also making a lot of people change their minds and eat their words.

Wemby's shutting down one of the worst narratives in basketball

In February 2025, Stephen A. Smith made it clear how he felt about non-American players taking the title as the face of the NBA. "I don't believe an international player can be the face of the NBA. I know they're globally iconic figures; their popularity extends globally, but the NBA is an American-born sport."

While there haven't been a ton of international stars considered the face of the league throughout NBA history, that doesn't mean there can't be. The simple fact that the game is expanding globally allows more players the opportunity to leave their mark while making fans around the world fall in love with them and the sport itself.

Victor's done just that. First off, the way he plays is unlike anything we've ever seen before. He's a hyper-competitive 7'4" demigod who's equally as dominant on both sides of the floor. The man also isn't afraid to embrace the ugly elements of the game, diving for loose balls or acting as an enforcer. This unique blend of qualities is why he's become the must-see player in the NBA.

Wemby is also responsible for bringing one of the league's most storied franchises back to relevance. After years of rebuilding, the Spurs have returned to being a legitimate championship contender, forcing other teams to design rosters that can slow him down.

Stephen A. Smith's change in heart is proof of Wemby's superstardom

There isn't better proof of Wemby's new level of stardom than his knack for silencing skeptics and doubters. At the beginning of his career, many questioned his durability at his size. He answered that by taking on a heavy two-way load during his deep 2026 playoff run, leading San Antonio to the Finals for the first time in over a decade.

Last season, he laid out his case for the MVP award, and critics downplayed his offensive impact. Now, his ability to create gravity for his teammates is one of the defining traits of his game.

Stephen A. Smith's change of heart is just another example of this. Now, I do applaud him for being able to alter his opinion when good evidence is presented. But it's still good to know that, just four years into his career, Victor is blocking narrative after narrative as if they were shots.

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