Victor Wembanyama has been the talk of the basketball world ever since bursting onto the scene with incredible size and skill. Standing at a towering 7’4″ Wembanyama has been turning heads with his impressive performances on the court. As he continued to develop his game, the hype around Wembanyama grew. Scouts took notice, seeing him as a potential top pick in the NBA Draft.
The closer we got to the draft the bigger the expectations grew. In the lead-up to the 2023 draft, many deemed him the best generational draft prospect since Lebron James. Sports networks ruthlessly pumped out Wembanyama content on a daily basis.
The things being said about him before even being drafted felt like a marketing campaign. “The best player to be drafted since Lebron”, and “a generational once-in-a-lifetime talent” among so much more was said. With the hype, fans began speculating whether Wembanyama would live up to the expectations that had been set for him.
The Wembanyama Hype
He was selected as the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 draft. Once the season started he quickly established himself as one of the most skilled players in the league. Less than a full season into his NBA career, it’s obvious why people were going overboard about him.
Wemby’s combination of size, athleticism, and skill has made him a tough matchup for opposing teams. It was wise not to get caught up in the hype and lower expectations, but he is making sure to keep them high.
A force on the defensive end of the court, regularly swatting shots and altering the course of games with his presence in the paint. His offensive game is equally impressive, with a smooth shooting stroke from beyond the arc.
He can play on the down post and has the ability to finish with authority at the rim. He can pass the ball and has handles not normally associated with players his size. Victor is averaging twenty points with ten rebounds and three blocks per game.
Wembanyama is the best player in San Antonio and he is doing it all on a minutes restriction. He’s been doing so well that not only should he be the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but he should be in the conversation for the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
More than meets the eye
Perhaps most importantly what sets Wembanyama apart from other young players is his maturity, incredible work ethic and dedication to improving his game. To put it in perspective, he likes going to bed at 8pm after reading a book.
Having your best player at home reading a book by 8pm is a Cinderella story of its own. Most players his age are learning how to be on their own and how to manage their new wealth. With distractions everywhere, it is encouraging to see a young player of his caliber handle fame the way he is handling it. Victor has been a pro since he was 15 and carries himself like a vet and not a rookie.
He is constantly working to refine his game and develop new skills that will make him an even more dominant player. His most underrated skill might be his creativity, his lack of fear of trying new things is the stuff of nightmares for opposing defenders. The fact of the matter is, Wembanyama can do it all. He is doing things we have never seen, let alone for a player his age or size. Is it enough to justify all the hype?
The Verdict
Of course, it’s still early in Wembanyama’s career, and there is always the potential for things to change. But for now, it’s clear that he can live up to the high expectations that were set for him.
With his impressive skillset, he will keep putting up numbers and eventually figure out how to win basketball games in the NBA. If he has a healthy career, he will become one of the greatest players if not the greatest player of his generation.
