18-Year-Old Frenchman Victor Wembanyama Being Hailed As The ‘Single Greatest Prospect In NBA History’

After playing his first two games on American soil this week, 18-year-old Frenchman Victor Wembanyama is being hailed as the “single greatest prospect in NBA history” by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

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 against G League Ignite in Las Vegas is praising him as a transformative prospect.

“He’s more like an alien, he’s for sure a generational talent,” said James, who watched Wembanyama on Tuesday in Las Vegas before the Lakers played the Suns there (with James saying he wants to own a team in Las Vegas one day.)

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has already warned teams against tanking for Wembanyama, but that won’t stop them.

“Yes they are [going to tank],” one NBA executive said after watching the Frenchman put up 36 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks in a game that saw him bang knees with projected No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson, who had to leave the game.

“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.

“Teams [will be] trying to put themselves in position to be able to draft Wembanyama or get the second pick and get Scoot Henderson.” Henderson’s agent, Steve Haney, told me his client, who has drawn comparisons to Ja Morant and a young Derrick Rose, should be the No. 1 pick.

Added Woj: “One team president said drafting Wembanyama might add as much as $500 million to the value of your franchise. At 7-foot-4, 7-5 in shoes. he is so advanced skillwise, there has just never been anyone like him.

“The level of tanking that we may see in the NBA this year as many try to get in position, I think it might impact the trade deadline as teams just don’t want to be in position to be winning. That has an impact for contenders.”

The closest comparison for Wembanyama might be Nets’ superstar Kevin Durant.

“I honestly believe that when he does come to the NBA and establishes himself he will play similar to the way that Kevin Durant plays, where he can catch the ball in the short post and post up at the same time, but more so a face-up guy, not trying to worry about trying to back guys down,” former NBA player and current NBA analyst Cory Alexander said during the broadcast.

“The way he shoots the basketball and handles the basketball makes him a dangerous force.”

Wembanyama is listed at 209 pounds, and Durant, who is about 4 inches shorter, at 240.

“Kevin Durant has put on weight since he’s been in the NBA but he’s been in the league forever,” Alexander said.

“[Wembanyama] can be effective in the NBA at the size he is now. Of course getting stronger only helps. but it’s going to be about the style of play he plays.”

Bouna Ndiaye, Wembanyama’s agent, reiterated Thursday on ESPN that some NBA people have told him to shut the Frenchman down to preserve his draft stock and avoid injury, but he has no plans to do so, saying the kid is a gym rat and a competitor and wants to play.

“Even if I wish and advise him to sit, he will not sit, because he’s here to compete, he’s here to experience these games and he’s here to learn and progress,” he said. “Victor is a competitor so when there is a basketball game you tell him not to go, he will go.”

And where will he be playing NBA ball?

Teams like the Pacers, Spurs, Rockets, Jazz and Thunder all stand to benefit — as all are projected to win fewer than 25 games.

“Victor Wembanyama is going to really impact the league before he ever plays a minute in it,” Woj said.

And Wembanyama wants to have an impact after that as well.

“My goal is to be like something you’ve never seen,” he said.