The most well liked NBA draft prospect since LeBron James is taller than Shaquille O’Neal and nonetheless rising.
French teenager Victor Wembanyama is seen as the very best younger participant in a technology and is all however sure to be chosen with the No. 1 decide on this yr’s NBA Draft.
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The 19-year-old is enjoying for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in France’s Professional A League, and turned heads in an exhibition recreation in October towards anticipated No. 2 decide Scoot Henderson’s G League Ignite.
Together with his lanky physique, Wembanyama has been described as a taller model of Kevin Durant who can block photographs for enjoyable.
He formally stands 7’4” (224 cm) tall however in line with ESPN, Wembanyama is now 7’5” (226cm) with sneakers on, with a wingspan of eight toes (243cm) – and the scariest half is he’s nonetheless rising.
That makes Wembanyama taller than Durant (208cm) and Lakers legend O’Neal (216m), who dominated the NBA within the early 2000s.
And if Wembanyama was to affix the NBA right this moment, he would instantly grow to be the league’s tallest participant, forward of the likes of Houston’s Boban Marjanovic (224cm), Washington’s Kristaps Porzingis (221cm) and Boston’s Luke Kornet (218cm).
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes Wembanyama’s top and athleticism will make him an unstoppable power as soon as he joins the NBA in his rookie season.
“This can be a completely different prospect to what we’ve ever seen earlier than, particularly popping out of Europe,” he stated on the Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective podcast.
“His taking pictures kind is textbook.
“This man is so critical about being nice. I don’t know if if shall be. There’s no such factor as a ‘can’t miss’ prospect, however he’s doing every thing in his energy to be nice from day one.
“I believe from day one within the NBA, he shall be a dominating defensive power. He’ll alter photographs like no person we’ve ever seen earlier than. From day one, groups must recreation plan for coping with him defensively.
“Wenbamyama isn’t even like LeBron 2.0. It’s like LeBron 3.0. It’s a totally completely different scenario.
“You’re going to be alarmed at how skinny he’s. He’s listed at 230 kilos (104kg), he’s 7-foot-4-ish, 7 foot 5. He seems very slight. He doesn’t look he has a lot bulk. He seems like he might get knocked over by a stiff breeze.”
LeBron James has described Wembanya as a “generational expertise” and an “alien”.
“Everyone’s been a unicorn over the previous couple of years, however he’s extra like an alien,” LeBron stated.
“Nobody has ever seen anybody as tall as he’s however as fluid and as sleek as he’s out on the ground. He’s a generational expertise and hopefully he continues to remain wholesome.”
Wembanya has additionally drawn excessive reward from Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The way in which his abilities are, the best way he might shoot the ball, the best way he can transfer, he’s extraordinarily quick for his dimension, can block photographs, could be a menace on the offensive finish, he’s unbelievable,” the Greek Freak stated.
“Now we have by no means seen one thing like that earlier than. I believe it’s a very good problem for everyone across the league, to have any person that’s 7’2” be capable of shoot, dribble like he’s a guard, to dam photographs, to run down the door quick. We acquired to prepare for this child. He’s going to be actually good.”
The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets seem greatest positioned to land Wembanyama in the event that they land the No. 1 decide within the draft lottery.
These 4 groups all have lower than 20 wins with 1 / 4 of the NBA season remaining.
