The NBA is in Paris for two regular season games – and it’s all about Victor Wembanyama. The 21-year-old Frenchman with a wingspan of almost 2.50 meters is an exceptional talent.
Around 200 media representatives are eagerly waiting to enter the arena at the San Antonio Spurs training in Paris. The target: Victor Wembanyama. Everyone wants the best picture of the French basketball star. You can’t overlook Wembanyama: Even if different height information is circulating, according to the NBA, the center is 2.21 meters tall.
The exceptional talent is the focus of this year’s NBA games in Paris. On January 23rd and 25th, “Wemby”, as he is called, will face the Indiana Pacers with the San Antonio Spurs in the French capital.
NBA in Paris for the fourth time
The NBA has already played a regular season game in Paris in 2020, 2023 and 2024 in order to grow in the European market. This year there are two, two home games for the 21-year-old Wembanyama. He grew up just outside Paris and has developed into one of the most promising talents basketball has seen in France in recent decades.
The greatest talent since LeBron James?
Even before it was clear that the San Antonio Spurs would have the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, it was inevitable that Victor Wembanyama would be selected number one – no matter which team had the first pick. The Frenchman was and still is considered by many to be the greatest basketball talent since LeBron James. It’s fitting that LeBron James gave him the nickname “Alien” even before his NBA career began. LeBron has never seen anyone like Wembanyama. Because apart from the Frenchman, there is no one who can play like him with his height and physique.
Victor Wembanyama in a duel with Lebron James
Despite being 2.21 meters tall, the center moves fluidly and often appears like a smaller player when dribbling with the ball in his hand. He also has a good overview, can finish at the basket in a variety of ways, shoot three-pointers, collect rebounds and, above all, defend. With his mobility and his arm span of around 2.44 meters, his opponents find it very difficult to score at the basket. Due to his skills and statistics, Victor Wembanyama was not only named Rookie of the Year in his rookie season, but also the second best defender in the league.
The sporting goods manufacturer “Nike” also recognized its huge potential early on. Even before his NBA career, the exceptional talent signed a deal that was said to be in the range of $100 million.
Wembanyama’s statistics are impressive
In his second NBA season, “Wemby” has put up 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and an incredible 4 blocks per game. For comparison: The player with the second most blocks per game has 2.5 blocks. A few weeks ago, Wembanyama reached the 100 game mark in the NBA and a comparison with other players makes it clear how special the exceptional talent is. Only six players in the last 45 years have had more points after 100 NBA games than the Frenchman.
Even LeBron James has to line up behind “Wemby” here. Only two centers have given more assists after 100 games. Only two players had more blocks after 100 games. In terms of three-pointers made after 100 games, the 21-year-old is even ahead of Stephen Curry, who many consider to be the best thrower of all time.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates a basket
Wembanyama could be the future of the NBA
Although there seems to be no upper limit for “Wemby”, he can still improve in many areas. For example, he loses the ball an average of 3.4 times per game. However, this is completely normal for a young player who carries most of his team’s attacks.
Nevertheless, it is hardly surprising that the hype and crowds surrounding Victor Wembanyama are huge, and not just at media training before the NBA Paris Games. There is no doubt that the 21-year-old Frenchman has the potential to become the NBA’s biggest superstar in the future.