Data shows only two NBA players can slow Wembanyama down

The rise of Victor Wembanyama seems to be happening in real time. In the season opener against the Mavericks – a 33-point blowout that helped dampen the hype around Flagg – a new version of the machine appeared. In this first glimpse of what the Frenchman has promised, a more aggressive side emerged, paired with sharper, more analytical decision-making. He dismantled whoever stood in front of him: a traditional big like Lively, a more dynamic one like Davis, or even Cooper, who tried but fell short. Washington, now playing almost as a wing, fared no better. Different opponents, same outcome.

His 40 points and 15 rebounds speak for themselves, but the statement Wemby made to the NBA went far beyond the box score. He faced players of every kind – and dominated them all. That’s one of the big takeaways: if a nearly 8-foot wingspan monster can terrify defenses inside and outside the paint while being a threat with speed, dribbling, footwork and mid-range shooting – both inside and out – then the league is in trouble. Sure, it’s too early to overreact, but what we saw in Dallas was exactly that. Who can stop him?

The Grizzlies and the Bucks may have an answer. They’re among the few teams capable of slowing him down, according to early-season data. ESPN dug into its database and found that among the players Wemby faced at least 50 times in the 2024–25 campaign, only two managed to hold him below 20 points per 100 possessions: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Santi Aldama. The analysis suggests that neither smaller nor slower players can handle him; finding the right defensive profile is a nearly impossible task.

The Spurs plan to surround Wembanyama with Keldon Johnson on the wing and a more static center like Luke Kornet, with whom he developed good chemistry during preseason. But based on what we’ve seen, the Frenchman doesn’t need much help – he’s more than capable of wreaking havoc on his own.

Aldama’s momentWe saw Giannis and Aldama go head-to-head at EuroBasket, where the Greek star nearly posted a triple-double (25 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists) and sent Scariolo’s Spain home. Aldama, who struggled that night, has since grown into a trusted defensive piece for Memphis thanks to his long reach and basketball IQ, which serve him well both near the rim and beyond the arc.

In the Grizzlies’ opening game, Aldama was matched up with Zion Williamson, another former No. 1 pick and a physical force in his own right. Despite the Pelicans forward finding some rhythm offensively – one of the few bright spots for his team in a 128–122 loss – Aldama stood out defensively with a spectacular double block near the basket, recovering with quick footwork. He’s exactly the kind of player who can make life difficult for someone like Wembanyama, who’s already climbing at an MVP-level pace.

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