With plenty of buzz surrounding Victor Wembanyama after a dazzling performance, the presumed No. 1 pick in 2023 picked up where he left off with another 30-point effort on Thursday to lead Metropolitans 92 to a win over the NBA G League Ignite.
Wembanyama produced a game-high 36 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots in the 112-106 win. He went 11-of-24 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range, in 37 minutes of action as the French team wraps up its stay in the United States.
The effort followed a 37-point performance on Tuesday in a duel against projected No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson. The rematch lost much of its draw early when Henderson suffered a knee bone bruise four minutes into the game and did not return.
Henderson is considered day-to-day with the injury.
Wembanyama wrapped up his trip to the U.S. leaving little doubt about who the No. 1 pick should be next year. He is viewed as such a lock to be the top pick that some executives reportedly suggested that Wembanyama should sit out this season to avoid injury.
He pushed back on that notion and suggested he still has plenty of room to grow. The thought that Wembanyama can still improve is likely a scary one for the 29 teams that don’t end up with him next year, and music to the ears of the team that does get him.
The 18-year-old earned high praise from LeBron James, who called him “an alien” and a “generational talent” on Wednesday. He humbly accepted those words from the future Hall of Famer, but understands he hasn’t accomplished anything yet.
Wembanyama returns to France to continue his season with even higher expectations of him, but the basketball community will be eager to watch him over the next several months.
[lawrence-related id=80648,80627,80116]
[mm-video type=video id=01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091/01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091-36b4b889b613ccda13c82e25a31f666d.jpg]
[listicle id=79195]