Thinking Basketball: Breaking down Victor Wembanyama
Overview
Victor Wembanyama is spending the 2022-23 season with Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite league. He will not participate in the NBA combine, as his season will still be in play. As of May 10, he was averaging 21.9 points on 47/29/83 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 32.3 minutes. He’s posted season highs of 33 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, six blocks, three steals and four three-pointers. The big man has played professionally since 2019, initially starting with Nanterre 92 before moving on to ASVEL two years later, where he won the Pro A title. As a French national team member, he won two silver medals at the youth level and set the FIBA record for blocks per game in a single tournament at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Analysis
Wembanyama’s height combined with his well-rounded skillset makes him one of the highest-ceiling prospects most scouts have ever seen. Despite being well over seven feet tall, he can handle and shoot the ball like a playmaking wing, but he has skills in the post as well, allowing him to simply shoot over smaller defenders. He’s a willing passer, able to punish double-teams. Wembanyama’s length will make him extremely disruptive as a defender and rebounder. His relative quickness will allow him to defend some on the perimeter, where he’s capable of blocking jumpers.
Projection
Wembanyama is practically a lock to go No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft, and it would be shocking if he didn’t immediately start. He could be vying for All-Star nods sooner than later, and it’s hard to calculate how high his ceiling might be down the line. There’s not a strong NBA comparison for him, as his play-style mixed with his height make him completely unique.
2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Victor Wembanyama
— Profile by RotoWire