It takes a special and unique player to completely dominate the NBA Draft. There are players once in a blue moon that are automatic first-overall picks for the Draft. The upcoming arrival of 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama has dominated this year’s 2023 NBA Draft. Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham have been in serious discussion throughout the NBA Draft process. Still, without question, the most unchallenged prospect for the first overall pick in the NBA Draft was Zion Williamson in the 2018 NBA Draft. Wembanyama is the next most deserving and most polarizing player to be considered for the first overall pick.
Victor Wembanyama 2023 NBA Draft Profile
Overseas Professional Career
Wembanyama has been projected to be a basketball star since he was 15 when he was signed by an agent. At 7-2; 229 pounds, Wembanyama has been a player that has been gaining attention throughout his professional career. As he has been getting older and more experienced, his dynamic playmaking skills have been one of his greatest attributes. That mixed with his size has made Wembanyama a sight for fans and NBA front-office teams.
In 33 regular season games for Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama has averaged 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. His best offensive game came on November 4th, 2022 in the 78-69 win over Limoges when scored 33 points shooting 7-of-9 in two-pointers and 3-of-8 in three-pointers. He also accounted for 12 rebounds, four assists, only two turnovers, and three blocks. He has had four games in the regular season where he has accounted for five blocks or more. There are also six more games where he has accounted for at least four.
In his entire professional career overseas, Wembanyama has been named the Pro A League MVP in 2023, finished the regular season as the best scorer and defender, was named a first-team league selection, a three-time Pro Best Young Player, and a Pro A Champ in 2022.
Wembanyama is set to finish his Pro A career with one more league championship starting on June 10th in a series against Monaco. Win or lose, Wembanyama will still likely be the first overall pick just a few days later in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Strengths
Wembanyama is one of the most complete prospects not only in this NBA Draft but in the past few drafts. His size at 7-2; 229 pounds and wingspan at 8-0 is remarkable. He is a player that is not held down to the traditional positions as he is more dynamic, active, alert, and quicker than a traditional center. Wembanyama is a natural and effective shooter throughout the court as he can drive to the basket, pull up for solid jump shots or find a great opportunity for a three-pointer. He is also an established ball-handler, can efficiently set up shots for his teammates, and run the offense through him. For a player his size, Wembanyama has quick and agile feet to close off driving lanes to the basket. His incredible wingspan is a great attribute for Wembanyama to either finish at the basket or block shots.
Weaknesses
With a unique player like Wembanyama, it is hard to find attributes that could limit his potential in the NBA. No prospect is perfect, however, Wembanyama is no exception to flaws in his game. One aspect of Wembanyama that could limit him in the NBA is his lack of overall strength and frame to play a traditional center. While he has the height to dominate at the center position, he lacks the strength to consistently contend against traditional bigs like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid when going for dunks or contested rebounds.
There is also the caution of Wembanyama’s thin frame, which could be a factor when it comes to injuries. Injuries have been an indicator of why a dominant prospect like Williamson has not thrived in the NBA. Wembanyama’s frame is going to be a concern for the team’s training staff as they know what can go wrong.
NBA Player Comparison
There are not many Wembanyama when it comes to his combination of incredible size and wingspan and his dynamic skill level on-and-off the ball. Wembanyama has the overall dynamic skill level of Kevin Durant as he can attack the basket throughout the court as well as possesses a thin frame. He also plays in the paint on both ends of the court similar to Kristaps Porzingis. Wembanyama is not a strong or overly aggressive big, but he is efficient in setting his teammates up for baskets or getting points on the board through big mismatches.
NBA Draft Projection
First Overall Pick
