How tall is Victor Wembanyama, the expected No. 1 pick in 2023 NBA Draft? Height, wingspan...
He’s the guy basketball fans can’t wait to see in the NBA and it’s been so for quite some time. Let’s get to know the French sensation, Victor Wembanyama.
The 2023 NBA Draft has arrived and with it all of the fanfare you’d expect as basketball fans prepare to welcome the next generation of stars to the NBA. Of course, there is one player in particular that even players and coaches want to get a look at, and that’s the 19-year-old French prodigy, Victor Wembanyama. What are his attributes, his stats, and his game? Let’s find out.
The NBA hasn’t seen a player like Victor Wembanyama before
Between his attributes and physical size, it’s now more than clear that the NBA and its fans are in for something special when Victor Wembanyama finally arrives in the league. With all the hype surrounding the 2023 NBA draft, perhaps the most exciting soundbite is that of Draft Express founder Jonathan Givony.
“The 18-year-old Wembanyama, who recently measured 7-foot-4 barefoot with an 8-foot wingspan, has wowed NBA executives for the past three years with his exceptional combination of fluidity, perimeter skill, shot-blocking instincts, and feel for the game and has cemented himself as the likely No. 1 pick, barring a major surprise. He was named French LNB Pro A Best Young Player two years in a row and made his EuroLeague debut last season.” Furthermore, Givony disclosed that the 18-year-old Wembanyama stands at 7-foot-4 barefoot and possesses an 8-foot wingspan. Yes, that’s incredible. With that in mind, here are a few factors to consider:
Victor Wembanyama is about to be the NBA’s tallest player NBA
At the moment, there is only one player in the league who is taller than 7-foot-three, and that’s Tacko Fall, however, as he’s about to be on his way to China to play for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, that leaves just Boban Marjanovic and Kristaps Porzingis, who are both listed at 7-foot-3 flat. That’s to say that Wembanyama is officially about to be the tallest player in the NBA. Needless to say, that doesn’t hurt at all.
Victor Wembanyama will also have the longest wingspan
With an 8-foot measurement, you’d think we were talking about a large bird, but no, it’s just an 18-year-old French basketball prodigy. Assuming that stat is accurate, Wembanyama will edge past Marjonovic and Mo Bamba — who are both listed as having a 7-foot-10 wingspan.
The NBA hasn’t seen a player as tall as Victor Wembanyama in a long time
While some might mention the name of Dekembe Mutombo or Yao Ming, who came through the NBA Draft back in 2002, the reality is we haven’t had an NBA prospect with this much anticipation surrounding him for quite some time. Indeed, when he’s drafted, he will, in fact, be the tallest since the aforementioned Chinese sensation.
Though he’s huge, Victor Wembanyama can definitely shoot
When looking at the handful of players across league history who’ve measured above 7 feet tall, there really aren’t many who have averaged more than one 3-point attempt a game. Where the Frenchman is concerned, he’s been averaging 2.8. Indeed, when compared to Porzingis and the other 25 players in the league’s history who were 7-foot-3 or taller, their combined effort was 4.0 per 36 minutes, which, incredibly, is still less than what Wembanyama is posting with 5.7 per game in the same time frame. Rest assured, we’re witnessing the arrival of a genuine star.