Victor Wembanyama really does have that LeBron James quality to him. We only get a prospect this good — this so far ahead of the pack — once in a generation. The measurables are obvious. He’s 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan, equipped with a mobility and dexterity that does not compute in the average human brain. Wemby shouldn’t be able to move like he does. He shouldn’t be so comfortable handling in traffic or navigating space on defense, and yet … he is.
- Chris Kline
FanSided Staff Writer
What’s most troubling from an opponent’s perspective is how much room Wembanyama still has to grow. He has jacked up his 3-point rate, upped his efficiency at all three levels, trimmed his turnovers, and he continues to completely baffle offenses as a rim protector. There’s not a good way to attack Wembanyama in the heart of the defense. He seals off so much space in the paint, it’s just hard to produce a quality interior shot attempt against the Spurs. He isn’t the most physical defender, but it doesn’t matter when Wemby can recover so quickly and eat up space with those elastic arms. Bump him off his spot, and he can still get a hand on the shot. Beat him with your first step to the rim, and Wemby is still a looming threat to block it from behind.
His offense, meanwhile, is constantly evolving. Wemby offers the widest catch radius in the NBA on lobs, along with the nimble feet and feather-soft touch necessary to evade contests, sidestep defenders, and always find an angle to the hoop. He can pull-up and shoot over the top at any time, he’s a legitimately deadly pick-and-pop threat, and there’s so much untapped playmaking potential to grow into over time. Nobody alters the geometry on the court on both ends quite like Wembanyama. He’s practically matchup-proof.