Image source, Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama is a massive 7-foot-4-incher who has established himself as a generational talent making an impact on both the NBA and the French national team this season.
The 20-year-old San Antonio Spurs player took the league by storm in his first season, winning Rookie of the Year and emerging as the franchise's standout player at the Olympics in his hometown of Paris.
Nicknamed “The Alien” due to his prodigious height, wingspan and athleticism, he's set to be a dominant force for years to come.
“He practices every day and puts an incredible amount of time into his body and his basketball IQ,” Spurs teammate Jeremy Sochan told BBC Sport.
- author, Sam Harris
- role, BBC Sports Reporter
The Parisien was the No. 1 draft pick in 2023 and entered the league with high expectations.
He averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2023-24, far outperforming his Spurs teammates as the team finished second-to-last in the Western Conference.
In case you haven't noticed as you read this article, Wenbanyama is huge. This cannot be emphasized enough.
Wenbanyama is currently tied with Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets and Zach Eddy of the Memphis Grizzlies as the tallest players in the NBA.
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol are the tallest players in the league's history, both standing at 7 feet 7 inches tall.
Wenbanyama is tied with several players, including Marjanovic and Eddie, as the ninth-tallest player in NBA history.
It's not just height…
His height and estimated 8-foot wingspan fit the profile of a center who can be disruptive both inside and outside the basket.
Why he should be selected: He has the dribbling ability of a winger, can shoot from almost anywhere on the court, and has exceptional blocking ability. He's versatile all over the court.
The same is true for the French national team, where he and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert can work together as a defensive wall.
What's next for “Wenby”?
The results were poor for a young team that tried to experiment with what position Wembanyama was best at playing, but the blueprint was there.
He played under one of the league's most successful head coaches, five-time champion Gregg Popovich, and there aren't many people Wembanyama could learn from.
If they can surround him with the right players, such as veteran point guard Chris Paul, whom they acquired from the Golden State Warriors over the summer, it won't be long before the Spurs return to championship contender status in the coming years.
After all, they have won before, having last done so with help from Frenchman Tony Parker in 2014.
He was a little short at 6 feet 2 inches…
Image source, Getty Images
Wenbanyama's dominating early performance has many predicting him to be the next “Face of the NBA.”
This is a title usually given to someone who makes waves off the court as well, and Wenby has certainly done just that.
He has partnered with French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton, signing on as a brand ambassador in early 2024.
He also landed a shoe deal with Nike rumoured to be worth more than $100 million (£84.2 million), putting him at the forefront of basketball culture.
And when the NBA Paris game in 2025 sees the San Antonio Spurs take on the Indiana Pacers, Wenbanyama will be a center of attention, especially as it will take place during Paris Fashion Week.
A player who has to stoop to avoid most ceilings in his everyday life has seemingly no ceiling in his career.
