A profile of 2.24 meters, slender, equipped with a technical background never before seen for an interior… You could believe that he is a player created from scratch on the game NBA 2K and yet, Victor Wembanyama is very real. The United States saw this phenomenon land on the floors on October 26 during a derby between San Antonio and Dallas.
The big first
Since June 22, when “Wemby” was chosen in first position in the Draft, the entire city of San Antonio has been in the colors of the tricolor flag. Burgers bearing his name were created and obviously, everyone was waiting for the premiere of the phenomenon. It was against Dallas, led by another generational prodigy, the Slovenian Luka Doncic. History will remember that the first basket scored by the Frenchman was a three-point shot, followed by another a few minutes later. Frustrated by a significant number of fouls, he finished the game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and a first defeat to digest. The first of a long apprenticeship.
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The first burst of brilliance
On November 3, 2023, the Spurs meet the Suns after a victory a few days earlier against these same opponents. Victor Wembanyama was rather discreet in his first confrontation against Kevin Durant, from whom he draws inspiration. This time, the Frenchman produced quite simply one of the best matches of his season with 38 points, 57.7% shooting, and 10 rebounds. “I don’t see anyone like him in the NBA. I know we’re both tall and skinny, I know he watched me play when I was younger, but he watched a lot of others and took inspiration from them. It is unique. It will create its own story, you can try to compare but it will be different from all the others”declared Kevin Durant after the meeting.
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The duel against LeBron James
The King facing the Alien. This is how the first duel between LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama is presented, on December 16. The Lakers player already had no shortage of praise even before “Wemby” came to the NBA. “No one has ever seen someone like that: To be so tall while being so fluid and graceful on the court… or his ability to dribble, take step backs while on the ball in the post, step back three-pointers, cons. It’s a generational talent”he indicated during a press conference.
In this meeting, LeBron James, who is used to driving his opponents to the basket, is more cautious. It is also in this match that he made the most assists this season, 14 in total. The two men still offered a one-on-one duel that brought the crowd to its feet, when LeBron James sent an exceptional three-pointer in the corner above “Wemby”.
A historic 5×5
After having already come close to the feat several times before, Victor Wembanyama managed to achieve an impressive 5×5 on February 24. That is to say at least 5 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals. Which makes him the 15th player to achieve such a performance in the history of the game. In total, he will compile 27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 interceptions and 5 blocks against LeBron James’ Lakers who, despite the victory , was again impressed by the Frenchie. “The League is his”said Shaquille O’Neal soberly on the TNT set immediately.
Unheard of since Shaquille O’Neal
“It’s one of my beliefs to be unique, different, and never seen before. » It is with these words that Victor Wembanyama describes his monumental performance on March 30 during the victory against the Knicks. That day, the interior compiled 40 points and 20 rebounds. Never before since Shaquille O’Neal’s 46 points and 21 rebounds in 1993.
A total domination in the racket which confirms the rise in power of the phenomenon.
