Victor Wembanyama

The presumptive top-two picks in the 2023 NBA Draft – Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson – showcased their talent in an exhibition game on Tuesday night, ...

Eight months before the next NBA draft, American basketball teams and fans got to see the high potential of French player Victor Wembanyama up close on ...

After his otherworldly performance in front of some 200 NBA scouts and on national television Tuesday, Victor Wembanyama already has NBA GMs talking about ...

The team with the worst record used to have a 25 percent chance of earning the No. Now the teams with the bottom three records have the same 14 percent chance at the top pick, while the worst team can slip all the way to No. A gracious Wembanyama said before the game of Henderson: “He’s really a great player. [who is in the second year of a two-year, $1 million deal with Ignite](https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2021/05/21/five-star-guard-scoota-henderson-to-reclassify-sign-with-nba-g-league-ignite/), a pretty nifty fallback at No. “I think anyone who watched that game last night saw a physical talent at the guard position we haven’t seen in years,” Steve Haney, Henderson’s agent, told me. It feels like last night will start a race to the bottom like we've never seen.”

With projected top pick Victor Wembanyama and Metropolitans 92 making a 5,000-mile trek from France to face Scoot Henderson and the NBA G League Ignite this ...

Wembanyama called the game the most important of his career to this point in terms of worldwide recognition. The game was, by all accounts, a potential look at the top two picks in the draft next year. One of them: The length of the game. On the other end, Wembanyama put his 8-foot wingspan to work, blocking five shots and altering several others in 32 minutes of action. The eight additional minutes of game time proved one adjustment he needed to overcome. “I still have areas of my game where I feel I need to get better and that’s not on the stat sheet. In such a long time, you’ve got time to do a lot of stuff. From the opening possession, Wembanyama looked to be a player the NBA hasn’t seen in quite some time — if ever. I feel like I had an all-around game today and tried to be a leader and stay vocal even when I was on the bench supporting my team.” He can slash, he can shoot the ball. He showed off his complete package of moves, and often found success getting to his spots. After all, he is considered by most to be the second pick next year behind Wembanyama.

Potential No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama dazzles with 37 points and hits seven 3-pointers while Scoot Henderson scores 28 for G League Ignite.

Several prospects have been projected to be great, but is Victor Wembanyama the greatest NBA prospect ever? How talented is he and will teams tank for him?

Webanyama is the best prospect ever. Henderson and Wembanyama were the main attraction. Wembanyama, the No. The 7-foot-4 monster from France might be the hottest prospect we have ever seen. James ended up as one of the best to ever play the game. Coming into his 20th season in the league, he is still known as one of the best, even at 38 years of age.

The projected No. 1 pick is such a promising prospect that one GM thinks the French big man will have a major impact on the 2022/23 season in multiple ways. “ ...

He will be the most hyped player since [LeBron (James)](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-),” the GM told ESPN. ESPN’s duo suggests slow-starting teams might consider dealing away impact players earlier than normal for a better chance at Wembanyama, even though the past few seasons have seen more buyers than sellers due to teams believing they have a shot at the playoffs via the play-in tournament. 2 pick, could further incentivize teams to roll the dice on tanking in ’22/23, per ESPN’s duo. “The tank/trade market will really shift after that showing. [Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony of ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34733814/victor-wembanyama-agent-shoots-some-execs-idea-top-prospect-shut-nba-draft). The projected No.

The G League Ignite guard sat down one-on-one with Yahoo Sports NBA writer Krysten Peek to discuss his first showdown with the French big man and Thursday's ...

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As NBA executives consider the transformative impact 7-foot-4 French prospect Victor Wembanyama's performance on Tuesday could impose on the NBA's tanking ...

For all the things that could go wrong, the journey turned out to be a boon for Wembanyama's U.S. The impact of Wembanyama's performance on national television in the United States is expected to become a factor in how aggressively teams might proceed in joining that race to the bottom of the standings. Some had questioned the risk-reward to accept the invitation to play in these showcase games in Vegas, making the long trek to the United States to play a road game with NBA rules and referees. The NBA flattened draft lottery odds to curb tanking in 2019, giving the teams with the three worst records a 14% chance each at winning the No. The impact of it all threatens to alter the landscape of the NBA season. The possibility of landing either Wembanyama or Henderson rises to 27% for the teams with the three worst records. This year, teams starting slowly could decide to go in the other direction, unloading rotational players and sitting out others for long stretches. Wembanyama's performance in Metropolitans 92's loss to the G League Ignite -- 37 points, seven 3-pointers and five blocks -- punctuated what teams scouting him for years had already believed: He's a historic talent. 1 overall pick told ESPN on Wednesday morning: "He's a 7-foot-4 Durant who blocks shots -- and he's not even close to what he's going to be. Wembanyama's brilliance was met with a spectacular performance out of G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, who is expected to be the No. "Of course, the word and the meaning behind the word is kind of weird," he said. 1 pick until the 2023 NBA draft in June.

The French teenager has an 8ft wingspan and can shoot like a point guard. And he will be testing himself against the best in the world very soon.

He was named on the Team of the Tournament as he led France to the final. With his size and length, he barely has to leave the floor to dunk and is a constant lob threat. “He’s a once-in-a-millennium-type build and skillset – you just don’t see guys like him come around,” Hornsby says. “He likes to draw, he is cultured. He hasn’t even scratched the surface.” By all accounts, he is a balanced person off the court. “He didn’t take a dribble, just shot, and it was crazy. “It’s another game when he’s on the court,” he says. Whenever he’s on the floor, his presence is felt. “It’s very apparent that he has great touch and natural feel, something that I think you can’t really teach. “I’m not saying he’s the next Luka Doncic. The hype train was off and running.

The 7-foot-4 French prospect more than showed why he is one of the most hyped NBA prospects in recent memory.

… We plan so that we limit the risk.”When Thursday was over, when the comeback was complete, Wembanyama briefly lifted his arms skyward in celebration, then shook a lot of hands, partook in a lot of hugs and posed for a lot of pictures. The NBA Draft is June 22. “Obviously, he’s a very unique talent and he has a very unique physique. The reason: He banged knees with Wembanyama. “No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor … Gobert made a quick appearance on the game’s televised broadcast. It might be a 28-foot 3-pointer from the wing. Added Golden State guard Stephen Curry: “He’s like the (NBA) 2K create-a-player, every point guard that wants to be 7-foot. It might be a dunk. The best of the bunch may have come from Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who suggested that calling Wembanyama a unicorn might not fully indicate how unique he is. He led the way, of course, with 36 points and 11 rebounds. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Victor Wembanyama said that while it was an "honor" to hear praise from LeBron James, he wants to remain focused as he has not "done anything yet."

And [Stephen Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) added: "He's like the (NBA) 2K create-a-player, every point guard that wants to be 7-foot. [Brooklyn Nets](/nba/team/_/name/bkn/brooklyn-nets) star [Kevin Durant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant) saying: "That type of talent and skill, it just puts a smile on your face if you play basketball because the evolution of the game has taken on this far. I want to thank all of the organizations that allowed us to come here." That was really great," he said. He's a little taller, just try to get into him and try to get into his face.' And I tried my best to do that. "I don't think there is a player like him. 1 pick in next summer's NBA draft "a generational talent" and "an alien." [Yao Ming](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1722/yao-ming)," Shareef O'Neal said. Because it's going to be tough to get better every day and stay consistent." I've never seen -- no one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. "I wasn't drafted, so I've got to stay focused to reach my goals. He finished with 36 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists in a 112-106 win, as

And Woj isn't alone as everyone from LeBron James to Chris Paul to the 200 NBA personnel who witnessed the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama put up 73 points in two games ...

“Victor is a competitor so when there is a basketball game you tell him not to go, he will go.” “[Wembanyama] can be effective in the NBA at the size he is now. That has an impact for contenders.” 2 pick Scoot Henderson, who had to leave the game. “The way he shoots the basketball and handles the basketball makes him a dangerous force.” “The impact he’s going to have on the NBA this season is dramatic as one GM told me the other day we are going to see a race to the bottom like you’ve never seen before in the NBA,” ESPN’s Woj said Thurdsay on air.

The second of two head-to-head matchups this week featuring No. 1 prospect Victor Wembanyama and No. 2 prospect Scoot Henderson, the clear (as of now!)

He has the chance to be one of the best to ever play this game. Yes, Henderson is a great, great prize, but he's in a class with a generationally good talent at the top ahead of him. Victor Wembanyama makes it look easy with this absurd running pullup 3 falling out of bounds from the corner demonstrating his exceptional footwork and body control. I actually can’t believe I’m tweeting this but Victor Wembanyama with the pull-up three from the hash mark. He certainly has all the attributes of a true game-changer. I do, though, have some takeaways from what we saw on the court this week (and what it might mean in the months to come). So, when asked about their takes this week on Wembanyama in particular, stars of the league shared some pretty extensive thoughts. It was so dominant yet looked so effortless, the hyperbole is sure to reach deafening levels in the aftermath of (another) stunning showing . Wembanyama made seven 3s in the first showdown on Tuesday en route to a 37-point eruption and followed it up by nailing just two triples in his encore on Thursday, his second-ever competition on U.S. There are sure to be some declarative statements made after what we witnessed the last few days -- some of which may very well be proven right! [NBA Draft](/nba/draft) class, fizzled a bit late Thursday afternoon with Henderson getting injured in the first half and not returning. 2 prospect Scoot Henderson, the clear (as of now!) prizes of the 2023

Victor Wembanyama is a 7-foot-4, 18-year-old basketball star from France who captivated NBA scouts and executives with his talent against G League Ignite.

(back) and Dennis Schroder are the lone Lakers to not play this preseason, though sources with knowledge of the situation said Schroder is expected to join the team this weekend. The Lakers next play Sunday in San Francisco against the Warriors. So did Joey and Jesse Buss along with members of the team’s scouting staff. 1 because New Orleans has the right to swap picks with the Lakers because of the Anthony Davis deal. The good news for the Lakers, it could be a buyer’s market and lower the asking price in any of the deals they’ve considered. It’s a common feeling, scouts and executives looking at their rosters wondering if it’s worth total implosion for the 14% chance of winning the draft lottery. One executive walked through the concourse at the Dollar Loan Center arena at halftime Thursday and simply yelled “Tank!” as he laughed and met with colleagues. Lakers executive Rob Pelinka, for the second straight game, attended Thursday afternoon. Everybody has been a unicorn for the last two years, but he’s more like an alien,” LeBron James said. “I’ve never seen — no one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. Though Henderson would be a treasured prospect in any other draft, he’s a clear second behind Wembanyama. 2 prospect in 2023, Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite, had an epic duel Wednesday that left people around the NBA buzzing about a race to the bottom this upcoming season for the best chances of landing one of the two.

Social media lost it over a picture of 2023 NBA Draft prospect Victor Wembanyama standing next to Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. Here's why.

[Per Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman](https://twitter.com/NBADraftWass/status/1577514952725856259), just one player in NBA history has ever recorded seven 3-pointers and five blocks in the same game, showcasing the generational potential Wembanyama boasts. And the international prospect yet again made some ridiculous highlight-reel plays. 1 pick could already be set in stone.

Follow for live updates of the matchup between projected top-two 2023 NBA draft picks Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92 of France) and Scoot Henderson (G ...

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Victor Wembanyama is the hottest name in the NBA and he doesn't even play in the league. The 18-year-old Frenchman has been amazing everyone for a while now ...

Especially if he has the backing of the best players in the world. The 18-year-old Frenchman has been amazing everyone for a while now, and with an exhibition in Nevada he confirmed the rumors that he will be a future star. Victor Wembanyama is the hottest name in the NBA and he doesn't even play in the league.

Victor Wembanyama sent the NBA world into a frenzy with two monster performances against G League Ignite where he averaged 36.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, ...

But it's [height] gotta be like 7-foot-4 or 7-foot-5, I guess." He is so good that questions that surround him don't even touch his game but his physical dimensions. "I am 7-foot-3 (2.21-meter) bare feet," the French unicorn confirmed himself while talking to the ESPN crew.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has high praise for future No. 1 draft prospect, Victor Wembanyama and says that he is a "generational talent."

“His ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot stepback jumpers out of the post, stepback threes, catch and shoot threes, block shots… It kept me in the bunker and it kept me locked in on the task at hand. For James, it was business as usual against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday—he finished with 23 points, three boards and four dimes in 21 minutes of preseason action. And Scoot is a big time player as well.” While many have used the term “unicorn” to describe versatile and exceptional talents, James suggests Wembanyama is something entirely else. “Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien.

Remember the name Victor Wembanyama. America got its first proper glimpse of the 7'4” (224 cm) giant this week when he played his first televised games on ...

The Athletic’s Shams Charania added: “This kid, he’s 18 years old. He’s a generational talent and hopefully he continues to stay healthy.” “The thing is, I didn’t do anything yet. He’s going to be really good.” He is remarkably athletic for his height, can dribble the ball like a guard and shoots ridiculously well for someone so tall. “But it really doesn’t change anything. It’s going to be tough to get better every day and stay consistent.” I think it’s a good challenge for everybody around the league, to have somebody that’s 7’2” be able to shoot, dribble like he’s a guard, to block shots, to run down the door fast. Mark Gottlieb posted: “Wembanyama is unreal. This is computer game stuff. “The way his skills, the way he could shoot the ball, the way he can move, he’s extremely fast for his size, can block shots, can be a threat on the offensive end, he’s unbelievable,” the Greek Freak said. “No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor.

Rudy Gobert (L) poses next to Victor Wembanyama after an exhibition game on October 6. Steve Marcus/Getty Images North America/Getty Images.

But his maturity and his confidence, he’s very unique.” I didn’t do anything yet.” He’s also caught the eye of LeBron James who earlier this week said Wembanyama was an “alien” and a “generational talent.”

LeBron James called him an alien. Everyone else is already calling him next year's no. 1 pick. Just how good can the silky 7-foot-4 star be?

The nature of the game today only amplifies the pressure on Wembanyama, given the obligations for a big to switch on the perimeter, defend every corner of the court, and handle the ball from the outside. Wembanyama plays a lot on the perimeter, but even with his slender 220-pound frame he boxes out for rebounds and absorbs contact in the paint. I asked a handful of executives what the risk really was for Wembanyama to play. He said a ton of friends and family texted him about it and his reaction was merely, “It’s cool.” There’s a maturity to the way the French star thinks and approaches both basketball and life. He already has a concerning injury history, including a fibula stress fracture, a scapula contusion, and an issue affecting the psoas muscle in his back. NBA teams view his family as a strong support system that will help him adjust to life in the NBA—and the inevitable fame that comes with it . Most execs around the league are confident in Wembanyama’s ability to become a reliable shooter because of his rate of progress and the work ethic he’s displayed so far. And sometimes, he’ll use that flexibility in a game to catch a body. I sat two rows back from the court and it didn’t take long for Wembanyama to make it clear he is the best prospect in the 2023 class, and the best prospect I have scouted in my He battled bouts of streakiness and shot 31 percent from 3 and 68.5 percent from the line in recent seasons overseas. Wembanyama is the first to admit it’s way too soon to anoint him as anything, but the Vegas showcase was organized in large part to display his talents on a worldwide stage. He stands at a towering 7-foot-4 and doesn’t even need to leave his feet to alter shots because he can stretch his 8-foot wingspan to swat away jumpers or poke the ball away from would-be attackers.