Victor Wembanyama has dazzled throughout his rookie campaign with the San Antonio Spurs, and the top pick has earned high praise from the top players in the NBA.
Damian Lillard was the latest to chime in.
Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks faced Wembanyama twice this season, winning both. Though Wembanyama missed the first meeting, Lillard had the opportunity to see the 7-footer up close in the second game on Jan. 4 and walked away impressed.
The eight-time All-Star spoke Friday on the “Dan Patrick Show” about Wembanyama and gave a detailed scouting report on what he has seen from the 20-year-old this season.
I think he is special. The first thing you think is height. I could see that he was clearly a good basketball player, but there was just so much hype around him that you were like, ‘Man, he is so tall and long. The game is so fast, how is he going to do in the NBA?’ Then you see he has a little twitch with him. Even though he is tall and lanky, he moves quick. He is fluid and is doing things you just haven’t seen somebody at that size do before.
I think we’ve always been extremely impressed with Kevin Durant doing it at 6-foot-11, now you have a dude who is 7-foot-5 doing the same thing. It is just getting crazy. I think Wemby is special. I think how competitive he is is what surprised me the most and that’s what makes me think that very soon I can see him being the best player in the league.
Wembanyama is averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.4 blocks and 1.3 steals on 46.7% shooting from the field in 58 games. He leads the league in blocks and is also first in points, rebounds and steals among the rookie class.
The Frenchman is the front-runner to win Rookie of the Year after achieving numerous accomplishments, including becoming the youngest player in history to register a 5×5 game and recording a triple-double with blocks. He has also won Rookie of the Month twice.
Wembanyama surpassed expectations this season and has turned in an impressive rookie campaign. With 16 games left to play, Wembanyama has established himself as the franchise cornerstone and looks to be in store for a long career.
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