Victor Wembanyama: Unicorns and Aliens
The sports realm has done the “generational talent” story arc many times. Names like LeBron, Zion, Reggie Bush, Bryce Harper and dozens of others that sports fans follow the hype train well before these talented players turn pro. This anticipatory energy has even made its way to soccer and hockey, with Freddy Adu and Sidney Crosby, respectively. The NBA has its next major, can’t-miss prospect in Victor Wembanyama. His height has yet to be confirmed, but he is at least 7’3” tall. This tweet below of Wembanyama standing next to fellow Frenchman and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.
Oh my god pic.twitter.com/hwc3zfjpEo
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 6, 2022
Wembanyama is widely considered to be the best prospect since LeBron James 20 years ago. He is the presumed consensus future #1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Speaking of LeBron, when he was asked about Wembanyama and his uniqueness, James responded with, “that kid is an alien.” James is one of the few people who can best relate to Vic, especially with worldwide hype building well before he turns pro. James was on magazine covers and begun the era of having major high school games more often on television.
But let’s discuss why words like “unicorn” and “alien” are thrown around when discussing Wembanyama. Is it his talent? We have seen incredibly talented young hoopers for decades. Even in the 20 years since Lebron’s high school days, players like Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving have been unquestioned #1 picks since their amateur days. Is it his height? Not quite. Taller players are always fawned over. Basketball is a tall person’s game, and it continues to trend in that way as those giants learn more skills. Hall of Fame center Yao Ming is at least two inches and 70 pounds heavier than Wembanyama. But he has some of the most precise footwork of any big man in history. No, the thing that transforms Victory Wembanyama is the sheer fluidity of his movements.
For example, Washington Wizards forward Kristaps Porzingis has a similar build. He’s 7’3” with a perimeter-based skill set. Before his knee injury while with the New York Knicks, he was one of the best and most mobile players on both ends of the floor. He does not move like Wembanyama. Victor has dribble packages with quickness and timing. He’s up on his toes like a natural shooting guard. He can float and fade in the air, even on threes. It takes so much skill for a player the size of JaVale McGee to be as agile as he has been. Wembanyama exceeds that in a way that feels extremely rarified. Every professional athlete is a unicorn on some level. Victor Wembanyama is an alien born in the land of unicorns, and his growth and journey as a basketball player will be impressive and awe-inspiring to witness.