Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Top 100 NBA Player?
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is coming into the league as the No. 1 overall pick, but does that automatically make him one of the NBA's best?
In Bleacher Report's annual ranking of the NBA's Top-100 players, considerations included a mixture of previous on-court performance, potential ceiling and even expected impact ahead of the 2023-24 season.
"B/R asked its best basketball minds to answer a series of random Player A vs. Player B debates," the site wrote. "The question for each debate [was]: Which player will rank higher by the end of the 2023-24 season?"
After compiling over 8,000 votes, results were synthesized and averaged, creating the final list of players — including a short list of honorable mentions.
Wembanyama was slotted in at No. 63.
“In France's top pro league, Wembanyama was able to finish second in scoring and first in rebounding and shot-blocking at 18-19 years old,” Bleacher Report wrote. “The No. 1 pick isn't going to need much time to make an impact and put up numbers with his 7'4" size, 8'0" wingspan.”
Whether it’s on offense or defense, Wembanyama will be looking to make his presence felt, especially since it will be seen by default. Blocking shots on defense and creating them on offense is what is likely to be the rookie’s strongest quality, leaving only room for him to fill the large ceiling that’s been set for him.
Whether he does it not is the only remaining question, and for that, fans will just have to wait and see.