With one season in the books, rising star Victor Wembanyama is quickly rising the ranks of the NBA player hierarchy. In fact, according to NBA veteran Patrick Beverley, Victor will have a case for being the best player in the league by the end of this upcoming season.
“You can’t even put him in comparison with other people," said Beverley on his podcast . "He is the best player in the NBA next year. He’s a center who shoots 3’s and dribbles the ball… He’s positionless. It’s him, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James in that category.”
As a 3x MVP and NBA champion, many would point to Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic as the NBA's top player and he's got the numbers to back it up with averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game on 58.3% shooting. But when it comes to size, skills, and superstar potential, Victor Wembanyama is in a league of his own.
After a brief stint with the Metropolitans 92, where he solidified himself as the No. 1 pick, Victor made the transition to the NBA and the results have been fascinating. Last season, as a rookie, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game on 46.5% shooting. He was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year award for his efforts and was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year behind Rudy Gobert .
Even with Wembanyama's ascension, the Spurs struggled to keep up with the competition. As a young and inexperienced team in a deep Western Conference, the Spurs were only able to place 14th in the standings with a record of 22-60 through 82 games.
This summer, Wembanyama got a chance to further his development at the Paris Olympic Games. The 20-year-old star was the center of everything for team France and led the way as they won the silver medal.
Going into next season, Victor will be on a mission to further improve his game and prove to the world that he's ready to take the next step. With veteran point guard Chris Paul set to join him in October, the 2024-25 campaign could be the best we've seen from any second-year NBA athlete. At the very least, Victor is poised to take his rightful place as the face of the modern NBA.
With a unique skill set, undeniable talent, and a relentless work ethic, Wembanyama has done nothing but justify the hype since he came into the league. From Shaquille O'Neal to Giannis Antetokounmpo ( who said Victor has a chance to be the GOAT ), countless players from multiple levels have given their seal of approval for Wemby and it seems they all know what comes next.
If the French superstar can develop his skills as a leader and increase his efficiency on the offensive end, it could be all he needs to reach his maximum potential on the court. Of course, no matter what his own numbers look like, he'll have to start winning games more consistently before people start to crown him as the best.
For now, all Victor can do is wait. Until the Spurs build a capable roster, the best thing for him to do is learn what he can to adapt his game and approach to best serve his strengths on the court. From what we've seen so far, he certainly has what it takes to elevate his game to the next level.
Related: Tony Parker Compares Victor Wembanyama To LeBron James: "He's Not Bothered By The Expectations..."
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