Victor Wembanyama did not miss his 100th career game Friday in Denver. The interior of the Spurs has been faithful to its last outings: impressive offensively, dominating and above all determining in the success of San Antonio in the 2023 champion. His magnificent evening statistics line (35 points, 18 rebounds) and this hundredth game are the opportunity to glance in the rearview mirror. What is “Wemby’s” place in the annals of NBA numbers at this stage of his career? Whatever the category, the answer often lies in heights worthy of gaming legends.
22.7 points at 47.2%, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.7 blocks, 3.6 loose balls and 1.2 interceptions in 30.6 minutes, these are the “raw” averages of these first 100 outings, already worthy of belonging to the league’s elite without distinction of age or experience. It’s simple: no player has averaged 20 points – 10 rebounds – 3 assists – 3 blocks and 1 interception after a hundred games played. In detail, and compared to the debuts of other big names, these passing times are sometimes dizzying.
More points than LeBron or Durant…
Over the last 45 seasons, since the appearance of the 3-point line, only seven players had already scored more than 2,278 points after 100 games:
- Michael Jordan (2 721)
- Zion Williamson (2 524)
- David Robinson (2 476)
- Shaquille O’Neal (2 427)
- Luka Doncic (2 332)
- Terry Cummings (2 305)
Victor Wembanyama is thus on a higher footing than scorers like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, to name a few. While it is impossible to predict his longevity, his 22.7 points average before the age of 21 (with at least 50 games played) places him in fifth position all time, according to the Associated Press, behind Zion Williamson (25.7 points). , LeBron James (25), Luka Doncic (24.2) and Shaquille O’Neal (24.0).
…more counters than Olajuwon or Mutombo
A Shaq that Wembanyama also joins in a very small circle of young leaders. Only O’Neal (24 points and 14.2 rebounds) and Wemby averaged above 20 points and 10 rebounds before celebrating their 21st birthday, according to Statmuse.
In terms of counterattacks too, there are very few who have done so well so early (365) in their career, since only Manute Bol (425) and David Robinson (383) have accumulated more blocks than Victor Wembanyama in their first hundred matches. in career. Specialists like Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon and Mark Eaton are further behind. Other NBA glories of the 50s, 60s and 70s (Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, etc.) would certainly have been on this list if the NBA had counted the counterattacks before the 1970-1971 season.
…more long distance successes than Curry or Thompson
The extremely rare combination of size, defensive instinct and outside shooting quality places Victor Wembanyaùa in a class of his own, since in addition to his third place in blocks, he is on the verge of the Top 10 in the number of successful 3-point shots ( 225) after 100 career matches, behind the only player with a profile close to an interior, Lauri Markkanen. Wembanyama is the only player to be in the Top… 60 of both statistical categories at the same time. The evolution of the NBA game ever further from the circle may distort the situation a little – the ranking is thus dominated by Duncan Robinson, Brandon Miller and Anthony Edwards – see Victor Wembanyama ahead of Stephen Curry (200), Klay Thompson (204) or even Trae Young (221) among the most prolific triggers is enough to make some eyes widen.
Anything but selfish, “Wemby” adds to these impressive totals 386 assists, the fifth highest total after 100 games for an interior player, the third for a player over 2m10 behind Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty.
« It goes so fast, but at the same time, a hundred matches is a lot of experience » said Victor Wembanyama on Friday evening. “ Compared to Chris’ (Paul’s) career, it’s nothing (smile). But it’s a lot of experience, a lot of mistakes, a lot of difficulties. Not enough victories for my taste too. But it’s quite an adventure, and it’s only the beginning. […] I try not to betray who I will be in the future. » This one looks radiant.
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 71 | 30 | 46.5 | 32.5 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 21.4 |
| 2024-25 | SAN | 28 | 33 | 48.0 | 35.5 | 87.9 | 1.8 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 25.6 |
| Total | 99 | 31 | 46.9 | 33.7 | 81.7 | 2.1 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 22.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
