He’s 2.19, shoots three, handles the ball well … oh, and he’s 16

You don’t have to get ahead of the times, but when you see something like this it’s impossible not to be surprised. In Victor Wembanyama everything is awesome. He measures 2.19, shoots from distance as if it were something simple, handles the ball with ductility and, most shocking of all … he is 16 years old! Oh, and he already plays Eurocup with Nanterre 92, although this year coach Pascal Donnadieu still did not dare to put it on, something that happened already in 2 games in 2019/20, when he was 15 years and 10 months old.

Wembanyama was born on January 4, 2004 in Le Chesnay, a town in the suburbs of Paris (20 kilometers), next to the famous Palace of Versailles, where he began playing for the Entente Le Chesnay Versailles club. He also played soccer (goalkeeper) and judo, but always also basketball, because of his mother, who was a coach, until at the age of 10 he fell to Nanterre 92, where he continues today.

His sister also plays basketball, now in Lyon, while his brother Oscar took up handball, clearly within a super sports home.

His family allowed him to participate in the King’s Mini Cup with Barcelona in 2018, being only 14 years old, but they did not want him to go to Spain and left him at Nanterre. In these two years he grew another 11 centimeters and today he is already at 2.19, and he surprises in an incredible way with what he is capable of doing with that physique, which he should still develop a lot.

However, this week he was seen, with another young man, participate in a two against two against no less than Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier, the two French NBAs, showing spectacular advances from the technical point of view, but also with a huge personality to stand in front to two already established players.

Wembanyama is not yet old enough to even think about the NBA draft, but if he continues his progress as he has done now, we are talking about someone who can become a sensation. In fact, giving a 5-year lead, he breaks it all in the U21 tournament in France, where in his debut against JL Bourg he finished with a fabulous score: 22 points, with 10/19 in shots from the court (including 2 / 4 triples), 18 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 assists and 2 recoveries in 30 minutes.

In addition, he is part of Pole France, a French third division team, with which he debuted last Tuesday with a memorable performance: 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks against Le Havre. Wembanyama can also play for Nanterre 92 if the club so requires.

There are movements that remind Antetokounmpo, but with better control of the ball and, above all, with a fine wrist to shoot from long distance, something that the Greek does not have. At 16, improving his body, he has everything to stand out. Nanterre is also characterized by being an excellent player trainer, so that part is almost guaranteed.

Another curiosity about Wembanyama is that he does not play pivot. And he himself clarifies why: “Everyone thinks I am a pivot, but I am not. Because I have character. I hate being like other people and I like to stand out. I will never accept to fit into a mold. The fact that I do not have a conventional game me It makes me happy. All my coaches have understood it. None of them held me, forbade me to dribble or pass the ball, “he said in an interview published by Archyde.com.

Wembanyama today weighs 95 kilos and follows a diet to add muscles and weight. He looks particularly at two NBA players in that regard: Kristaps Porzingis (2.21 and 111 kilos) and his compatriot Rudy Gobert (2.16 and 109). Victor acknowledges that they are examples, but not the only ones: “I also really like players like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo, who show that size does not prevent you from knowing how to play basketball. They don’t have a stereotyped game.”

The boy has a clear mind and goals, too: “My goal is to go to the NBA, to get as high as possible. It’s my mentality, I don’t want to be an extra. I don’t like having someone above me. Always. I don’t want to prove anything, but I don’t want to be disappointed. Sometimes, as a family, when I lose in a match, I smile but it’s only to hide my disappointment. “

Not bad the first release of @vicw_32 with the #PôleFrance in #NM1 pic.twitter.com/mpsvdtIuv5

– FFBB (@ffbasketball) October 21, 2020