Why Victor Wembanyama is "Probably" Better Than You Think (A YuccaBall Deep Dive)
Why Victor Wembanyama is "Probably" Better Than You Think (A YuccaBall Deep Dive).
By: YuccaBall Contributor's
Victor Wembanyama - YuccaBall Deep Dive
At only 21 years old Victor Wembanyama has already become one of the 10 best players in the association. At 7'5 with an 8 foot wingspan, mobile feet, and an outside shot; Wemby is truly a one-of-a-kind alien the likes of which the NBA has never seen before. With all that said, let's dive deep into the artist known as Victor Wembanyama.
🏀 Victor Wembanyama 2024–2025 Season Summary
📊 Stats
Box Score:
24.3 PPG / 11 RPG / 3.7 APG / 3.8 BPG / 1.1 SPG
Efficiency:
- FG%: 48%
- 3PT%: 35%
- FT%: 84%
- TS%: 59%
Advanced Metrics:
🏀 5th in PER
🏀 5th in Box Plus-Minus
🏀 5th in Defensive Rebound Percentage
🔍 Season Takeaways
🔻 Cut turnovers from 3.7 to 3.2 from Year 1 to Year 2
📈 Improved efficiency from every range in Year 2
🛡️ Best defensive player of the season
🎯 Solid 3PT% on high volume and degree of difficulty
💯 High FT% projects him as a solid jump-shooter
What Makes Him So Great
Ability to Address Weaknesses
🏥 Health
The biggest concern heading into the league for Wemby was his ability to stay healthy at his size. From day one, he and his team have taken a unique approach to maintaining his body, emphasizing flexibility and basketball-specific movements. As a result, Wemby has missed very few games due to typical basketball injuries.
While the blood clot he suffered midway through Season 2 raised some concerns, he’s already been cleared and is expected to be fully ready for the start of Season 3.
🎯 Shot
A lesser-discussed concern entering Year 2 was the legitimacy of Wemby's shooting ability. The mythology surrounding him as a prospect included his ability to shoot the 3-ball with real range at 7'5". Despite shooting just 27% from three in his final season with the Metropolitans 92, experts remained optimistic due to his shot mechanics, volume, and difficulty.
Incredibly, Wemby shot 35% from three on 9 attempts per game in Year 2, with many of those being off-the-dribble looks. He improved his 3-point percentage by 5% from his final season in France to his rookie NBA season, and then by another 3% from Year 1 to Year 2. Even more impressively, his efficiency rose alongside increases in volume, shot distance, and difficulty; befitting his "alien" moniker.
🏋️♂️ Weight
Wemby gained 25 pounds during his first season, entering the league at 210 pounds and starting Year 2 at 235 lbs. This physical transformation was evident on the court, where he looked noticeably bigger and used his strength more effectively.
While there’s still room for growth in terms of physicality, his scoring versatility lessens the urgency of further strength development.
Offensive and Defensive Versatility
🛡️ Defensive Switch-ability
Wembanyama has already established himself as the league’s premier shot-blocker and arguably the best overall paint defender. This alone will earn him multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.
But what sets him apart is his complete defensive toolkit:
- Passing lanes: Over 1 steal per game and 3.4 deflections per game (12th in the league).
- Switching ability: His capacity to guard wings and guards, especially in pick-and-roll situations, makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses.
🔥 Veritable Bucket-Getter
Currently, Wemby is a good, but not elite, on-ball creator; with 75% of his field goals being assisted. His shot distribution in the 2024–2025 season was:
- 47% from beyond the arc
- 20% from mid-range
- 33% within 10 feet of the rim
This is easily the most diverse shot portfolio among big men. While he took too many threes and didn’t generate enough rim pressure last season, this was likely intentionally designed to develop his floor-spacing skills in a low-pressure environment.
To the Spurs’ credit, the strategy worked. Wemby became increasingly comfortable launching high-volume threes, and defenders grew more cautious. One memorable play early in the season saw Wemby pump-fake from 30 feet, get his man to bite, and glide to the rim—once he shakes his defender, there’s no stopping him.
Additionally, Wemby scores effortlessly due to his sheer size:
- Lob threat: The best in the league thanks to his wingspan and vertical.
- Second-chance points: His presence around the basket creates easy opportunities for himself and teammates—something we hope to see more of in 2026.
🏆 First MVP
Wemby’s first MVP is simply a matter of when, not if. His individual performance could reach MVP levels as early as this season, but the Spurs likely aren’t ready to make the leap into Western Conference contention just yet.
Realistically, I project Wemby will win his first MVP in 2027 or 2028, which would still place him among the youngest MVPs in NBA history.
🌍 BITW (Best in the World)
Just like his MVP case, Wemby’s claim to being the Best in the World hinges on the Spurs becoming a top-tier team.
If San Antonio reaches that level by 2028, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wemby widely regarded as the BITW. Even sooner, by the end of this season, Wemby could join the elite tier of NBA superstars: Jokic, Doncic, Shai, and Giannis with another leap forward.
To project Wemby’s all-time standing, we need to consider what he’s likely to achieve. I genuinely believe he’ll rack up:
- Multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards
- At least one MVP
- At least one Finals MVP
(I think he’ll win multiple of these, but the world isn’t ready to hear it yet.)
Beyond accolades, Wemby will be remembered as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history; a true one-of-one alien.
With that in mind, I can realistically see him landing in the Top 15 all-time conversation, alongside legends like Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Garnett.
🐐 GOAT Potential
Let’s talk about the big one; Wemby’s potential to become the Greatest of All Time.
To be the GOAT, a player typically needs:
- Multiple MVPs
- Multiple Finals MVPs
- An all-time peak in both dominance and longevity
- A unique, undeniable career trait
For example:
- MJ: 6–0 in the Finals
- LeBron: Unmatched longevity
If Wemby enters the GOAT conversation, his defining trait would likely be his status as the greatest two-way player ever, backed by multiple DPOYs and Finals MVPs as the clear No. 1 option.
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