It’s hard to believe that Victor Wembanyama is still only 20 years old.
The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft exceeded expectations in his debut season with the San Antonio Spurs, earning unanimous Rookie of the Year honors. Wembanyama had a statistically impressive campaign with averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game.
Following the conclusion of his first NBA season, Wembanyama turned his focus to his national team duties with France for the 2024 Paris Olympics and seamlessly continued his stellar play. The 7’4 center led France in all five of the major statistical categories during the tournament with 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two steals, and 1.7 blocks per game, solidifying his status as the team’s best player.
His ascent allowed France’s head coach Vincent Collet to push three-time NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert, whom Wembanyama was the runner-up to in the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year race, completely out of the picture. Collet prioritized maximizing Wembanyama’s unique skill set, benching Gobert in the knockout stage in favor of Guerschon Yabusele to improve the team’s spacing.
Wembanyama flashed his all-around skill set during the Olympics, especially in the quarterfinal and semifinals rounds. He shot only six-of-27 across these two games, but found other ways to contribute while he struggled offensively, averaging 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and two blocks
Come the gold medal game where the lights were at their brightest though, so was Wembanyama. He delivered his best performance of the Olympics in the finale against Team USA, scoring 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including three three-pointers. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal, showcasing his all-around talents.
France ultimately fell short, losing 98-87 to Team USA, yet Wembanyama’s efforts still earned him the tournament’s Rising Star award and a spot on the 2024 Olympics’ “All-Star Five” alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Dennis Schroder.
Wembanyama hardly looked like a 20-year-old in his first Olympic games and with him onboard, France is going to be a force to be reckoned in the international basketball scene for at least the next decade. He himself has declared that he is “worried for the opponents in a couple of years” and it will be fascinating to see how he continues to develop, especially once he starts filling out his lanky frame.
The upcoming NBA season offers Wembanyama a chance to carry his Olympic momentum forward. The addition of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to the Spurs’ roster should aid his growth both on and off the court. It wouldn’t be surprising if he takes another leap this season, potentially leading San Antonio back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Indeed, the sky’s the limit for Wembanyama. But make no mistake about it—he’s no longer just basketball’s rising star; he’s done enough to prove that he’s already its present.
