Spurs rookie phenom Wemby is accelerating the next NBA evolution: 'He's going to change the game'

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Last summer, Victor Wembanyama was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs as one of the most highly touted basketball prospects since NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James.

With guard-like quickness, ball handling, and shooting ability to complement his towering 7-foot-3 frame, the French phenom was destined for greatness at the NBA level.

Despite entering the league with sky-high expectations, Wembanyama may be even better than advertised.

In a nationally televised matchup against two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antentokounmpo and the Bucks, Wembanyama put on a show, proving to the world that he is worthy of the lofty expectations set before him.

Just one day removed from his 20th birthday, Wembanyama had 27 points and nine rebounds in the Spurs' narrow loss to Milwaukee, leaving Antentokounmpo in awe of his talent.

He's special," Antetokounmpo said. "He's going to be an extremely good player. He plays the right way. He plays to win. I've never seen anything like him."

Even in defeat, Wembanyama stole the show with a string of highlight-reel plays. The Rookie of the Year frontrunner flawlessly executed a self-alley oop, recorded a clutch block on Antentokounmpo late in the fourth quarter, and flushed home a monster dunk after showing off his handles on the fast break.

He’s unbelievable. Unbelievable talent. He can score at will, anytime he wants. Plays the right way. Plays to win. It was good to play against him,” said Antetokounmpo after Milwaukee’s 125–121 win.

Although he was under a minute restriction, Wembanyama still made his presence felt on the interior and finished the game with five blocks.

He's an extremely unique talent. I think all of the media coverage and everything – the hype around him – I think it's worthy of it. Just from when I'm watching him, how versatile he is, all the things he can do, he's a special talent,” he said of Wemby.

Considering how otherworldly Wembanyama has been in his short NBA career thus far, even Lillard's description of him as a "unique talent" feels like an understatement.

Wembanyama feels more like something out of a video game. His blend of size and shot-creating ability is akin to only the likes of Kevin Durant and Antentokounmpo, but at just 20 years of age, he may have a higher ceiling than each of the future Hall of Famers.

The French rookie sensation has a fluidity to his game that makes playing pro basketball seem almost effortless, and one would be hard-pressed to name players in league history with his skillset at that size.

Not even a decade ago, most NBA big men could scarcely dream of taking jump shots, or scoring away from the rim at all, let alone pulling up for three-pointers in transition the way Wemby has.

Traditional NBA big men also weren't given as much free reign to dribble as much as the budding Spurs star -- nor did they possess the ability to.

When watching him play, it is evident that Wembanyama is not just a high-ceiling prospect but a testament to the evolution of pro basketball.

He’s going to change the game, 100 percent,” two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić told reporters last November. “He’s already on that path, so just enjoy and watch the show and let the guy change the game.”