Not many rookies enter the NBA and instantly become superstars. Early in their careers, players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant shone brightly, and Victor Wembanyama is following their lead. The San Antonio Spurs have a rare talent in Wemby, who has had an incredibly historic rookie season. In fact, the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year became the first player ever to achieve at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks, and 100 three-pointers in a single season. With numerous records and accomplishments under his belt, Wembanyama has already established himself as one of the league’s best players at just 20 years old.
As he approaches his second year with the Spurs, Wembanyama is excited to further develop his legacy. He’s also taken some time to reflect on his experience in the NBA, particularly after meeting several of the stars he admired growing up. While he still respects some players, his feelings towards others have changed. “In both a good and bad way, it’s how truly like the best of the game are,” Wembanyama shared with Sports Illustrated when discussing his rookie-year surprises. “In a good way, some of them are really impressive and inspiring in how they approach the game every night. But others that I used to like, now I’m just not sure they deserve it. They don’t seem to put in the same effort as I thought.”
While Wembanyama criticized some players he no longer respects—without naming names—he emphasized that he still holds a lot of admiration for many others. With numerous All-Star talents in the NBA, the young Spurs player has learned valuable lessons from them. As he prepares for the 2024-25 season, Wembanyama will have the chance to learn from future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, who is the newest member of his team. Beyond his teammates, Wemby continues to draw inspiration from the work ethic and character of other stars, including Kevin Durant. “There are active players I really admire.
I’ve watched some of the guys I grew up with, and while I’m not disappointed, I sometimes think, is that all? But then there are others, like KD [Kevin Durant],” Wemby said. “I’m also getting to know Rudy Gobert better through the national team. I see their work ethic and how they approach the game, and it’s truly inspiring. I want to emulate that.”
“Absolutely, there are players I admire, especially KD, now that I’ve seen what goes on behind the scenes. I know it’s genuine, you know?” Wembanyama faced off against Durant this offseason when Team France competed against Team USA in the gold medal match at the summer Olympics. Just getting his country to compete with the elite teams was a significant achievement for Wembanyama, making it likely that he will encounter the Americans in future gold medal games. Not all NBA stars get along, and it seems Wembanyama is beginning to experience this reality. He’s discovered that not everyone is as they seem—and after challenging some of the players he once idolized, he’s realized that not every star in the league is worthy of their accolades.
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