Wembanyama's scary potential has him neck and neck with these centers

Wembanyama has shown enough to be among the best.
San Antonio Spurs v Philadelphia 76ers
San Antonio Spurs v Philadelphia 76ers | Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages

I don't think enough people realize how great a talent the Spurs stumbled upon. Victor Wembanyama is truly a generational talent and a one-of-one type of player. He can do things that have never been done before on an NBA court.

In just two years, Wembanyama has proven himself to be one of the best in the game. But as he missed half the season last year and is still growing into his own, where does he rank among his competitors? In particular, how does he fare against other centers across the NBA? That is the question we will be tackling today.

Wembanyama's insane abilities push him towards the top

Before diving into the absurd things the Frenchman can do offensively, he already deserves a top spot based on his otherworldly defense. With his abilities, Wembanyama is lined up to win several Defensive Player of the Year Awards in his career and engrave himself in All-Defensive teams for the next decade.

Somehow, the Alien managed to lead the league in blocks despite missing half of the 2024-25 season. With only 46 games played, Wembanyama led the NBA by an awe-inspiring 28 blocks and finished with a total of 176 on the season. This stat alone gives the big man an extra leg up on his competitors.

Yet, Wembanyama is no Rudy Gobert: he brings an electric punch on offense. His dominance in the paint is a given, but his uncanny ability to shoot over anyone in his path is what makes him so special. While he needs to refine his shot selection and hone in on an ideal shot diet, he has already produced preposterous offensive numbers.

How does Wembanyama stack up against the game's best centers?

To begin the conversation, it should be made clear that he is a step behind the very best. The leading player and center in the NBA, Nikola Jokic, holds the crown. It will take years of development and accolades to dethrone the three-time MVP. While Wembanyama's defense tops Jokic's, he will need to make significant strides offensively to come close to the Serbian's reign.

However, once you get past the unstoppable Jokic, you can begin having a conversation about Wembanyama. Among the mix are two great but injury-prone centers in Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid. When healthy, these centers have proven themselves to be powerful forces and truly game-breaking players.

What Wembanyama doesn't have is a proven track record. Davis is an NBA champion, while Embiid is a former MVP. These players have consistently performed at the highest level for several years, showcasing everything they have to offer. Wembanyama is still learning the ropes and has not yet reached his peak.

For now, it is hard to put the unproven Wembanyama above two All-Time great centers. But with serious questions regarding their health, Wembanyama can quickly trump them and become the second-best center in the NBA. 2025-26 will be a tell-all for where the big man places in the NBA ranks.

Don't look now, but Wembanyama is coming for the crown.