Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA world by storm, drawing comparisons to one of the most hyped prospects, LeBron James. His NBA debut with the San Antonio Spurs, although marred by foul trouble, showcased his immense potential as he scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and contributed two assists, two steals, and one block, despite the team’s 126-119 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
At just 19 years old, Wembanyama plays a unique role as a point-forward, defying conventional expectations with his imposing 7-foot-4 stature and an almost 8-foot wingspan. His ability to dribble past defenders and shoot three-pointers from the range of Stephen Curry is truly exceptional. Moreover, his prowess as a rim protector and his effectiveness in guarding wings during pick-and-roll plays make him a standout defensive player.
Wembanyama’s journey began in Le Chesnay, France, a suburb near Paris. His strong athletic genes come from his mother, Elodie de Fautereau, a former high-level basketball player, and his father, Felix, a professional high jumper and track athlete. His older sister, Eve, is also a basketball player who won a gold medal with France at the 2017 U16 European Championship. As a child, Wembanyama excelled as an elite soccer goalkeeper before dedicating himself entirely to basketball.
Even at the age of 14, Wembanyama showcased his talent by helping France’s JSF Nanterre U18 team secure the runner-up position in the French League, despite being three years younger than most players. His playing style, characterized by fearless three-point shooting, lane attacks from the perimeter, and a unique approach to the game, garnered attention from scouts across Europe. While there were offers for him to move to larger basketball cities like Barcelona, Wembanyama chose to continue his development in France, eventually playing for ASVEL Villeurbanne in the EuroLeague and representing the U19 French national team.
In the summer of 2021, every NBA scout had their eyes on Wembanyama as he faced off against Chet Holmgren, the 7-foot No. 2 overall pick in that year’s draft, during the FIBA U19 World Cup gold-medal game. Wembanyama’s outstanding performance, including eight blocks and 22 points, overshadowed Holmgren, who won MVP honors. Wembanyama set a FIBA World Cup record with 40 blocked shots, averaging 5.7 per game, while Holmgren recorded only 19 blocks throughout the tournament.
An NBA scout remarked, “Never have I ever seen Chet Holmgren overshadowed physically like he was last year whenever the two met. Victor can do all that Chet can, but he’s three inches taller, likely shoots better from beyond the arc, possesses superior passing skills, and has a more promising frame for development.”
Wembanyama’s talent and potential make him a candidate for the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and in various other draft classes. He now stands as the cornerstone for the San Antonio Spurs as they aim to pursue another NBA championship.
