At his listed height of 7-foot-4, the 20-year-old San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama is already the NBA's most physically intimidating player. Yet, some of his opponents believe that Wemby still has more room to grow — literally.
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During a conversation with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert — who is listed at 7-foot-1 and is perhaps the NBA's best defender — Timberwolves reporter Dane Moore asked Gobert whether he believes Wembanyama has grown taller over the course of the season.
Asked Rudy Gobert if he thinks Victor Wembanyama has gotten taller over the course of this season.
Gobert: "I was saying that last night. I don't know. He's probably still growing. I mean, he's only 20. He's getting bigger and bigger."
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 28, 2024
In response, Gobert said, "I was saying that last night. I don't know. He's probably still growing. I mean, he's only 20. He's getting bigger and bigger."
While the idea of Wembanyama getting even taller might seem absurd, his 8-foot wingspan would also suggest that the French sensation might have some more growing to do.
Considering the already-ridiculous numbers that Wembanyama is producing in his first NBA season, the prospect of him getting even taller must be nightmare fuel for opposing teams and fan bases.
In fact, one unidentified NBA executive believes that Wembanyama — who is currently leading the league in blocks per game (3.3), along with being 12th in steals (1.3) and eighth in deflections (3.0) — is destined to become the best defender in NBA history.
"I had somebody with another front office tell me they think he's going to be the best defensive player of all time, and very confidently declare that and that's in addition to the fact that this guy's got unlimited potential offensively," ESPN's Tim McMahon said during a recent episode of his "The Hoop Collective" podcast.
Given that Wembanyama's defensive-win shares hasn't cracked the NBA's top 50, the Defensive Player of the Year award will almost surely go to the aforementioned Gobert.
Yet, the reason for Wemby's win shares not matching his other stats is because win shares is a collective stat. Meaning, Wemby needs his teammates to perform better on defense in order for that stat to improve.
As soon as some other top-tier talents come to San Antonio — which seems inevitable, considering that Wemby is clearly a guy peers will want to play with in coming years — Wemby will almost certainly become a perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year contender, regardless of whether he keeps growing.
